Vere Tech principal optimistic about repairs
Published:Monday | July 22, 2024 | 12:06 AMSashana Small/Staff Reporter
Although Vere Technical High in Clarendon has been placed on a list of schools severely damaged by Hurricane Beryl, Principal Oneil Lewin is optimistic that the repairs will be done in time for reopening on September 2.
The Category 4 storm lashed Jamaica almost three weeks ago, lifting roofs and solar panels off buildings on the school’s compound, and toppled over a greenhouse on its farm.
Lewin told The Gleaner that the institution also suffered some electrical damage due to fallen light poles, but this is already being fixed.
Up to last Wednesday, he said that the Ministry of Education was conducting a final assessment of the damage, with work expected to start today.
“They have actually placed us in a priority group – six schools in Clarendon and we are among that six – because from their analysis, we will not be ready for September unless that repair is done,” Lewin said.
Barrington Richardson, the director for Region 7 in the Ministry of Education, told The Gleaner that 13 schools in the parish were impacted by the hurricane and need repairs.
Of these, he listed Vere Technical High, Mitchell Town Primary, Milk River Primary, and Portland Cottage Primary as those that were severely damaged.
Lewin, in the meantime, expressed satisfaction with the Ministry of Education’s approach to the renovation process.
“I wouldn’t complain about any kind of tardiness because, to be honest, I think they are moving swiftly, when you look at the number of schools that are damaged,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Education Minister Fayval Williams disclosed that 85 schools have been identified as severely damaged, and are expected to cost approximately $1.42 billion to repair.
Overall, the ministry is facing a preliminary Hurricane Beryl damage assessment bill of $2.7 billion to repair damaged schools.
With less than a third – 309 – of the country’s primary and secondary institutions assessed so far, Williams acknowledged that the figure could increase.
“It could increase, that was as of yesterday (Thursday); and as you heard, we reported at least two times now, and the number keeps climbing as the building assessors go out,” she said.
There are 1,010 public primary and secondary schools in the island.
The ministry has categorised affected schools into three priority groups: severely damaged, moderately damaged, and those that sustained minor damage.
Last week, 210 schools were classified as moderately damaged, while 114 schools were listed as having minor damage. Williams noted that repair works on these schools can be done while school is in session.
Last Wednesday, she told The Gleaner that based on the assessment and prioritisation, she does not anticipate that the reopening of schools will be delayed due to the effects of the hurricane.
“Already, we have engaged the emergency procurement process. We have a long list of contractors and we have identified some beginning source of funds, so we can move right away to begin the work there,” she said.