A new classroom block has opened at the deCarteret College in Manchester providing more comfortable instructional space for sixth-form students.
The 2,550 square-foot unit, which houses three classrooms, was built by the school’s parent-teacher association with government support.
The project spanned three PTA administrations, which raised funds, pooled resources and sought donations.
It was built on top of an existing structure, which houses fifth-form classrooms and bathroom facilities.
Speaking at the official handover to the school community on Tuesday (February 17), Regional Director for Region 5, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Susan Nelson-Smith, urged students to see the space as “a sanctuary of possibilities”.
“A classroom is more than four walls and a roof. It is an incubator for dreams. When we hand over today, we’re not just opening a room. We are unlocking potential,” she said.
“Today, we’re not just opening doors to physical rooms, we’re opening new corridors of opportunity. This ceremony marks a significant milestone in your journey towards providing modern, comfortable and stimulating learning environments,” she added, noting that with the three new classrooms deCarteret College will continue to be one of the leaders in academic achievements in Region 5.
Mrs. Nelson-Smith said the project highlights how resourceful parent-leaders can help to advance education.
“To the PTA, you saw a need and you didn’t wait for a distant solution; you mobilised. This project is a testament to what happens when parents and teachers move beyond traditional roles and become architects of their children’s future. I commend the PTA. The PTA did not wait for a miracle; it became the miracle,” she pointed out.
Speaking with JIS News, Principal, Dr. Prim Lewis, said that the project was undertaken through cash donations amounting to about $13 million, and contribution of construction material, equipment and volunteer hours.
“It is important to note that this building was made possible because we had a plan from the Ministry of Education for the ground floor that was built back in 2010. Therefore, half the work was already done in terms of municipality approval,” Dr. Lewis told JIS News.
She thanked the Ministry of Education for providing the guidance in getting the necessary building approvals and expressed sincere gratitude to the three PTA presidents, especially Debbie-Ann Lewis-Richards, under whom the project started.
“It’s important to note that we had three changes of [PTA] administration and it did not stop the project. Also, I went on leave of absence for one year and nothing stopped the project,” the proud principal pointed out.
“We’re a sought-after sixth-form programme, and so these classrooms will benefit students in a magnificent and profound way. It will host three form rooms, but it will serve 240 students and 179 fifth-form students,” she said.
Mrs. Lewis-Richards, who pioneered the project, told JIS News that the old sixth-form building had deteriorated significantly, making it unsafe.
Students were being taught in gazebos and in open spaces on the school grounds.
She decided to undertake a fundraising activity for a new building, noting that she was determined to make the project a reality even if her child would not benefit from the new facilities.
“In the 2021/22 [academic year], we were forced to close the sixth-form block. It was very unfortunate, so we sat down and we said we were going to build some classrooms. Vice Principal, Marlon Britton found an old architectural design so we said that we would run with the idea. It wasn’t easy, but we were successful in starting and there were alumni who were just ready and on board to donate,” Mrs. Lewis-Richards told JIS News.
“They started donating, so we had no choice but to start, and I am so happy today,” she said.
deCarteret College boasts one of the largest sixth-form populations in Jamaica, with up to 300 students enrolled in the Sixth Form Pathways programme.
The institution is one of the leading schools in the country in mathematics and science.
