WESTERN BUREAU:

Except for the electrical and sewerage problems at Troy High School in Trelawny, the new school year got off to a fairly good in the western Jamaica yesterday.

The school's 266 students and 12-member teaching staff were sent home early, as work is still to be completed on the electricity and sewerage system.

Education officer Sonia Nevins told The Gleaner that classes would resume today. The decision has irked principal Livern Wright.

"No one is interested in whether or not we have programmes and necessities in place for our children. All they are interested in is that school is opened," he said. "This is the way our school programmes have been running throughout the years."

Troy High, which is one of the 17 schools built under the northwestern schools programme, was officially opened in July.

In St. Elizabeth, school officials at Lacovia High complained about inadequate classroom space to meet its growing student population.

It was a good start in Hanover, despite fears of fallout over school fees following the promise of free tuition from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

"I can't quote in terms of figures but I was surprised that some parents have paid school fees, and so far no one has requested a refund. I guess they are awaiting word from the new Prime Minister," said Ada Mitchell, principal of Green Island High.

The Bethel Primary and Junior High School, which lost one of its water tanks toHurricane Dean, is waiting for the Ministry of Education to replace the tank which is used as a backup for the bathroom facilities.

It was primarily hiccup-free in the parish of St. James. Joseph Williams, principal of St. James High, said the only problem being experienced was that of several parents turning up at the school, seeking transfers for their children.