News

Students and teacher thankful for new school

By KAVELLE ANGLIN-CHRISTIE, Staff Reporter

THE STUDENTS AND teachers of the Mount Ogle Basic School in St. Andrew are thankful that construction has finally started on their school.

According to Michelle Ximines, a teacher at the school, the contractor hired by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund , has started the foundation of their new school building.

The school, which appeared in THE STAR on several occasions to highlight their plight, was destroyed by fire in April 2003, and since then, the teachers and students have been in constant agony. They have spent more than two years under hot army-like tents, which trap heat and dust.

In previous articles, the principal, Ruby Wilson, said they have been unable to adequately cater to the needs of the children, because the school was in such a deplorable state.

In an article published in THE STAR on March 7, Mrs. Ximines said, "We are going to move the children into the old school building because of the dust," as she pointed to the roofless, demolished shell of the burnt school. "They (CHASE) say we are going to get the new building for September," said Mrs. Ximines. "I don't know, but we will see."