Students from Frome and Petersfield high schools await transportation on the first day of the new academic year.

ST. MARY:

With the late start of the new school year for primary and secondary schools islandwide, it was expected by many that they would have had sufficient time to prepare their environs. Not so at Bromley Primary in St. Mary. This school, which has suffered much over the years, with the infrastructure of an old building, was last year the beneficiary of a promise - a commitment for a new building.

Much disappointment

However, much to their disappointment, with the new structure in plain sight, students had to sit in the old building on the first day of school.

Students turned up bright and early with much anticipation and high expectations of starting afresh in spacious classrooms, only for the administration to direct them to the old school building.

According to principal, Cynthia Mundy-Martin, the school is dealing with the challenges in the old building as best it can under the circumstances.

Mrs. Mundy-Martin told The Gleaner the new building was not occupied by staff and students because they were yet to receive school furniture. The building has not been given electricity.

Awaiting school furniture

"We are anticipating the arrival of the school furniture during the course of this week, after which we are looking forward to using the new building by next week," she said.

The principal also added that even though parents were a bit disappointed, they have shown much cooperation and acceptance of the situation.

One parent, though, articulated that news of the delay wasn't going down well with her.

"I believe that this could have been avoided if the priorities of this school were paid due diligence by the ministry,"she said.

An education officer, who was informed of the situation, also showed up during the day to ensure things were running smoothly.

-Lisia Lynch