Twelve-year-old Shaquama Ashbourne of José Marti Technical High School in St. Catherine, and 479 of her peers, on Monday breathed a sigh of relief as they had full classes for the first time since schools reopened on September 10.

The students, who are in grades seven and nine, were forced to stay at home because the new prototype buildings which were to accommodate them were not complete. The Education Ministry blamed the delay on Hurricane Dean and contractor overload.

"I am feeling very excited because this experience is one that I have never experienced before," Shaquama, a graduate of St. George's Girls and Infant School in Kingston, told The Gleaner Monday, following a tour of the school by Andrew Holness, Minister of Education.

She added: "I was home watching TV, playing games and read a little bit and I felt bad because my friends were going to school and I wasn't."

Similar sentiments were echoed by her classmate Ohmeshe Cooper.

"I feel very good because I was at home and the place was boring," he said.

Ohmeshe added: "I felt bad that I wasn't in school because I had to be in the house doing chores."

Grade nine student Sherine Brown, who graduated from White Marl Primary and Junior High, said it was a relief being back in school.

"I feel glad that I am in school because it's been a while since I have been to school and done any work," she told The Gleaner. "The house was boring and I missed school."

Bevar Moodie, principal of the institution, said he was delighted that his students were able to begin classes on Monday.

It's been a while

"It was of great concern for us when we had to ask a number of students to remain at home, but I believe that the deep interest that has been shown by the top leadership of the Ministry of Education helped to drive the work, and so, they were able to complete work on the weekend," he added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Holness said he was pleased that the students were able to start classes.

"I am very happy that we were able to deliver the classroom as we had committed to do. They look reasonably well," he said.

The prototype buildings, which were commissioned under the leadership of former Education Minister Maxine Henry-Wilson, were designed to reduce the shortage of school spaces in Region Six which covers St. Catherine and Clarendon.