Black River Primary repairs at 60 per cent completion

Repairs at Black River Primary and Infant School in St Elizabeth are approximately 60 per cent complete, with contractors being urged to expedite the remaining work ahead of the reopening of schools on September 7.

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Marlon Morgan, provided the update during a recent tour of the institution as part of a two-day visit to schools across St Elizabeth. The school was among the institutions damaged during the passage of Hurricane Melissa last year, with Morgan describing the school as having been at “ground zero” consequent on the hurricane’s impact.

He noted that while work is progressing, the pace of repairs at schools visited across the parish has varied, with some institutions being closer than others to being ready to fully accommodate students for the start of the 2026/27 academic year. Morgan said contractors have reported challenges in securing suitably qualified and certified skilled workers, particularly in the areas of electrical installation and carpentry.

“We have had some deficits and challenges in that regard, and it would have slowed the progress. One of the things we have been focusing attention on is holding our contractors to account,” he stated. He further indicated that the contractor at Black River has had to source workers from outside the area, including painters and other personnel from as far away as Montego Bay, St James.

He said repairs have also been hampered by challenges in obtaining some of the materials required for the school, particularly aluminium louvre blades for the windows. Morgan said the Jamaican supplier on whom the contractor relies has encountered difficulties importing the items due to increased shipping costs and logistical disruptions stemming from the situation in the Middle East.

“It may mean, in some instances, that we land the louvre blades here… the window solutions here in the country but have to do so at increased costs. That is a possibility and a contemplation,” he stated.

Notwithstanding the challenges, Morgan emphasised the importance of getting students back into the classroom “so that we can have optimal engagement going on”. Morgan advised that the ministry team also toured the Middle Quarters Primary and Infant, Crawford Primary and Infant, and Brompton Primary and Infant schools.