Schools set to open by the end of October

Men work to mend the roof at Savannah Primary
School

Students who have already started back to school at
St Ignatius High School, were praised by one of the
teachers for their positive and helpful attitude

by Christopher Tobutt

Friday, October 8, 2004

Most of the schools, private as well as public, were aiming to open their doors again to students from between the end of October and the first week in November. This represented, “a concerted effort.” Hon Roy Bodden, Minister for Education, Human Resources and Culture, said.

The massive effort to open schools and get them working according to a normal schedule has been evidenced in both the private and the public schools.

The Cayman Islands Public Work Department has had been busy sub-contracting construction and roofing companies in an effort to open schools as soon as possible, in the public school sector.

Amongst the private schools, Cayman Prep and High School Principal, Jean Bahadur, announced that the school was open from Monday 4 October, and was able to provide a virtually normal schedule of classes and lessons.

The Primary School section will not be open until 25 October, however. Ms Bahadur spoke of the bravery of her staff, many of whom had stayed in the school during the hurricane.

St Ignatius High School, teacher, Mr Jeremy Rice, was also pleased to announce that, despite considerable damage to the school roof, the school has been able to open for Year 10 to 13 students.

Praising the students’ attitude, Mr Rice said: “The students who came today have been wonderful. They have been really willing to reach out to one another.”

Mr Rice went on to say that 75 out of a total of 135 pupils in that year-group had already started back, and that the school was anticipating opening its doors to increasing numbers of its 600 students week by week, and should be operating at full capacity by Christmas.

The John A Cumber Primary School in West Bay anticipates opening on 18 October and Savannah Primary School anticipates opening on 1 November.

North Side Primary School is aiming to be open on 1 November, while their reception class anticipates opening on 18 October.

East End Reception and years 1 and 2 anticipates opening on 18 October and John Gray High School should be opening classes for Years 10 and 11 on 1 November, although Year 12 students will be able to start school on 18 October.

George Town Primary School is anticipating an opening date of November 1.

The First Baptist Church Christian School is hoping to open between 25 October, and John Gray High School in Walkers Road which was badly damaged in the hurricane with a large section of the building has been condemned.

A spokesperson in charge of the clean-up group, belonging to the Public Works Department, said that although 80% of the school buildings had suffered considerable damage, the school was still hoping to open its doors to some of the examination-year students on 18 October, and the George Hicks High School is anticipating being open on 1 November.

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