by Rasbert Turner, STAR Writer

spanish town, st. catherine

Ninety students and four teachers from Blackwood Gardens Basic School in Old Harbour Bay turned out to officially receive their spanking new classrooms at a handing over ceremony last Thursday.

The school was handed over on March 29 after the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), built the spanking new institution at a cost of $10.1 million.

The ceremony to officially hand over the building took place on the school ground.

Chief organiser of the function, Muraelda Folkes, who is the president of the Old Harbour Bay Community Development Association praised JSIF for its work.

"It's a worthwhile gesture from JSIF who had come on stream at a critical time when the students had to be housed in a community centre and then a church following the passage of the recent hurricanes."

She said bauxite company WINDALCO and Jamaica Energy Partner also made contributions to ensure that the school could be completed.

Omar Sweeney, operations manager of JSIF said they recently received $19 million from International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to deal with several projects. He added that building basic schools were a part of these projects.

"It is a continued effort by the group, as they have acquired $19 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to help and deal with several projects and early childhood, is also on the agenda," he said.

He encouraged residents and students to take very good care of their new surroundings because it was for the benefit of the community.

The comminuty contributed more than $1 million, while JSIF donated more than $8 million.

The evening's function was chaired by Milton Wade, Principal of the Old Harbour Bay Primary School. Persons from the Social Development Commission and the Ministry of Education were also in attendance.

The project was completed in August 2006, five months later than the proposed completion date of March of that year. The delay was blamed on the cement shortage last year.

Students from the school performed several songs and poems which delighted those in attendance.