10 early childhood institutions benefit from fencing project

As parents, caregivers and educators across Jamaica prepare for the start of the new school year, the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund has confirmed the completion of perimeter fencing at 10 early childhood institutions (ECIs), providing safer and more secure spaces for young learners to play, learn and grow.

The $15-million project benefited institutions across Kingston and St Andrew, St Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, Hanover, Trelawny, St Mary and Portland, reinforcing the importance of safe and secure learning environments during the critical early years of a child’s development. The initiative forms part of CHASE Fund’s longstanding commitment to the advancement of early childhood education in Jamaica. Through sustained investment in the sector, the fund has supported the upgrading of infant schools, the provision of educational resources and technology, and improvements to the physical environments in which young children learn and develop.

The perimeter fencing project represents another important investment in this ongoing programme of support. In addition to enhancing the security of school compounds, the improvements will assist the institutions in meeting Standard 8 of the Early Childhood Commission’s certification requirements, which focuses on maintaining safe and secure environments for children, staff, stakeholders and visitors.

“The CHASE Fund has a longstanding commitment to strengthening Jamaica’s early childhood education system, and we are pleased to continue that investment through projects that improve both the learning environment and the safety of our youngest citizens,” said CHASE Fund Public Relations and Administrative Manager, Hilary Coulton.

“We are proud to have completed these works ahead of the new academic year, and look forward to seeing the benefits for the children, teachers and communities served by these institutions.”

The completed perimeter fencing works benefitted: Woodford Primary and Infant School – Kingston and St Andrew; Reach Primary and Infant School – Portland; Nutfield Basic School – St Mary; Ashkenish Primary and Infant School and Elgin Town Basic School – Hanover; Coley Mountain Primary and Infant School and Huntley Primary and Infant School – Manchester; Windsor Heights Basic School – St Catherine; Elgin Primary and Infant School – Clarendon; and Rio Bueno Primary and Infant School – Trelawny.