This school needs help

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

FOR more than a decade Banister New Testament Basic School has been educating children ages three - six inside the church that bears its name.

But Banister New Testament Church, which is located close to Old Harbour in St Catherine, is really small, a fact that has affected the student register as the school has, over recent years, been forced to decline new admissions.

"For 16 years the school has operated in the small church room, and while we are thankful it is becoming more challenging," said Donett Swearing, principal of the school.

According to Swearing, the problem has grown worse because there is "growing interest from parents in the community" to send their children to the school, which now caters to 30 students.

So now, Swearing and her colleagues are seeking help to relocate the school and to address a shortage of resources.

"We are using this opportunity to call on the powers that be to help us in whatever way they can," said the principal who admitted that challenges may lead to the closure of the school.

Her appeal was echoed by Tamice Simmonds, a teacher, who said they will accept help from "any interested organisation or even the Ministry of Education".

Swearing also said it was frustrating that, in order for classes to be held, teachers are forced to rearrange furniture and equipment inside the church, then replace them each day.