The Ministry of Educational Transformation has moved staff and pupils of Wesley Hall Infant School to the Lawrence T Gay Memorial Primary School amid health and safety concerns related to nearby construction work.
The temporary relocation is intended to ensure uninterrupted teaching and learning while repairs continue at the Wesley Hall Junior School site on King Street, St Michael, according to Deputy Chief Education Officer Julia Beckles, the ministry’s senior official for school infrastructure.
In a pre-recorded statement, Beckles explained the rationale behind the move: “Initially, the ministry explored the possibility of the infant school remaining on site since the work was being done at the junior school.
“However, after discussions about work to be executed, and the fact that there were some factors related to the construction which could not be controlled as first thought in an environment with close proximity to the school, the decision was taken to remove everyone from the site of the Wesley Hall Infant School.”
The plan was communicated to parents during an online meeting a week ago on Thursday, where they were also asked to indicate their transport needs. The ministry, in partnership with the Transport Board, planned to transport the 113 students whose parents had requested buses.
“On the day of the planned move, however, there were approximately 150 students who turned up to be transported.” Beckles said. “Based on the new numbers and the short notice, the Transport Board informed us that two trips would have to be made to accommodate the students and that they would be delayed.”
She added that parents were informed of the delays:
“The principal advised the parents that while the bus would be provided, it would be delayed. Additionally, the ministry was informed that the Transport Board was doing its best to accommodate the new requests, but there could be challenges given that the term has already started and the organisation has limited resources at its disposal.”
There are 34 staff members and 234 students at Wesley Hall Infants.
The ministry reported that the staff and students have now settled into their new location. Beckles said the ministry would also continue to collaborate with all partners to ensure a smooth experience for students and staff at Lawrence T Gay Memorial Primary School.
The statement comes in response to parental concerns over transport arrangements — particularly for the infants section that remained at King Street, The City, when the junior school moved out for refurbishment.
Some parents had expressed frustration that buses have been late every day this week. After disputes over temporary locations, affected students were placed at Westbury Primary School and St Leonard’s Church Hall before settling at the new campus.
“The ministry thanks the Transport Board for their assistance in transporting the students and expects that the situation will improve,” Beckles said.
The ministry emphasised that safety and uninterrupted learning were the primary considerations in the relocation and expressed confidence that the measures would benefit both staff and students during the construction period.
The relocation follows similar moves for the junior school, which was shifted last month to Westbury Primary School and St Leonard’s Anglican Church for the remainder of the term. Previously, the juniors had been temporarily housed at White Park Wesleyan Holiness Tabernacle and the YMCA, before concerns from parents and teachers prompted further moves.
(SZB)
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