Seaside Primary Completes AC Initiative

The Portland-based Seaside Primary School has completed its ambitious air-conditioning (AC) initiative, transforming every classroom into a cooler, more comfortable, and more effective learning environment.

Principal, Adli Lewis, in an interview with JIS News said that the achievement marks the end of a four-year project powered by extraordinary community support, strategic fundraising, and a commitment to the success of students.

“Last year, this time, we had three classrooms that were not air conditioned as yet. And… one year after, I can proudly say that all classrooms are air-conditioned,” Mr. Lewis said.

The principal explained that the project began with modifying the physical spaces to make them AC-ready. Originally, Seaside Primary operated in a containerised classroom setting with ‘all-in-one classroom’ parted into sections.

In the first year, actual partitions were constructed to create enclosed classrooms. Then later, decorative block windows were replaced with sealed windows suitable for AC installation. Finally, the AC units were procured and installed in every classroom.

Funding for the initiative came from the entire school community, including former students, diaspora supporters, parents, local businesses and even the students themselves who launched and participated in various fundraising activities.

For Principal Lewis, a comfortable learning environment is a powerful resource in improving the performance of students, and despite the years of effort and dedication the project took, it was a necessary one.

Already, the milestone has been boosting teacher morale, student motivation, and academic outcomes.

“We have more comfortable classrooms, so teachers are motivated, students are motivated, and what we find is that the grades are trending upwards,” Mr. Lewis said.

“Our Language Arts grade is passing our very own targets. Grade five scored 92 per cent on their Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exam this year. Grade six, 78 per cent this year. For grade four, the literacy rate is 73 per cent (and) numeracy rate is 70 per cent. We’re surpassing our own limits,” the Principal added.

He lauded other interventions by the school as well as other modern learning tools such as laptops, smart boards, projectors, televisions, and multimedia resources that have all been contributing to an improvement in academic performance.

“We also have intervention classes, literacy classes [and] reading programmes at the school, so that by the time our students get to grade six, they’re able to function and they’re able to read and get the other support that they need to do well externally,” Mr. Lewis outlined.

“At Seaside Primary, we’re happy that we’re able to add value to our students before they move on to secondary education. We ensure that our students are functional and we provide the kind of support that they need,” he added.

Despite being classified as a Grade One school – typically smaller institutions with limited staffing and resources – Seaside Primary’s enrolment exceeds 200 students. The school operates without core administrative support, such as a bursar or secretary, relying on HEART trainees and creative staffing solutions to fill critical roles.

With improved facilities and rising academic outcomes, however, Seaside Primary School stands as a model of what community collaboration and strong leadership can achieve, even with limited resources.

“We’re not just retrofitting spaces and we’re not just installing AC units. Everything leads up to a goal, a purpose, a common reach… and that is to maximise the potential of our students and to get them to achieve [more] academically, while becoming better versions of themselves,” Mr. Lewis said.