Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

A flood of applications from students at the grade-10 level to attend Brown's Town High School in St Ann for the 2009-2010 academic year has forced the school to turn away dozens of new students.

The influx was created, at least in part, as parents sought to get their children to schools closer to home in order to cut travel and other expenses as the economic crisis takes its toll.

According to principal of the school, Johnallson Feraria, the school had no choice but to limit entry to new students at that level.

"There is a demand for space, especially at the grade-10 level, that we can't fulfil. Currently, we have 631 students at grade 10, out of a total school population of 2,500, so we have had to refer a lot of (new) students to other schools. But I'm afraid some persons will be out of school this September," Feraria told The Gleaner.

Imbalance clear

It is unclear what other factors might have led to this rush for space at grade 10, but with the grade accounting for 25 per cent of the total school population, the imbalance is clear; it means that the four other grades have an average of just under 19 per cent of the school population.

Outside of the rush for space at grade 10, Brown's Town High is on target for a smooth opening come Monday.

"There is no news about any problem so I guess we're on target with preparations at Brown's Town High," Feraria said.

"There are some shortcomings, but I think we're on target."

Meanwhile, the situation at Aabuthnott Gallimore High, in Alexandria, St Ann, is "ok", a source told The Gleaner.

"Basically, there are no major problems."

At Marcus Garvey Technical, in St Ann's Bay, work was progressing feverishly to meet the new school term.

"We're doing okay. We're painting right now and putting in some new doors," a teacher at the school reported.