New classrooms for Montego Bay High

The Montego Bay High School for Girls in St James now has extra classroom spaces at its disposal after last Thursday's official opening and dedication of the school's new Thora Levy and Dahlia Hewling Robinson Building, which was provided through Food for The Poor.

The new building was opened on the same day as the school's annual prize-giving ceremony, which was attended by Education Minister Ruel Reid and other representatives from his ministry.

The building, construction of which was done over a three-month period and was completed in August, is named in honour of past students Thora Levy and Dahlia Hewling Robinson.

Gairy Powell, acting principal of Montego Bay High, said that the building's donation came at a time when the extra classroom space was sorely needed.

CREATING A SPACE

"Approximately a year ago, we introduced theatre arts as a subject to the grade-10 and -11 students, but at the time, we needed space for the students to perform optimally. No space existed on the compound that could accommodate them, so we reached out to Food for the Poor to help us," Powell told WESTERN STAR.

"We're extremely grateful to Food for the Poor and to the donors for investing in the girls and in the future of the students, and the building will be well utilised."

Additionally, two science facilities were officially opened at the school, including its renovated Therisa Grace Cherian Science Laboratories, which are named after Montego Bay High's former vice-principal, Therisa Cherian.

David Mair, executive director of Food for the Poor in Jamaica, said the new facilities will enhance the students' learning capabilities.

"It is a great opportunity to look at the convenience of the class space being there and having more focus on the education standpoint. They're expanding their curriculum now because they have more space, so it's a win-win for everybody," said Mair.