(Jamaica Observer) KINGSTON, Jamaica- An initiative funded by the PetroCaribe Development Fund (PDF) and implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE) has resulted in the installation of new sanitation blocks in 26 schools.
Students and staff in the schools located in Clarendon, Hanover, Manchester, St Catherine, St Elizabeth, St James, St Mary, St Thomas, Trelawney and Westmoreland are now experiencing the use of the modern facilities, which replace pit toilets. Some 3,287 individuals are direct beneficiaries.
Last year, (PDF) at the request of the MOE, commissioned the JSIF to replace pit toilets in the schools in which critical service of modern washing and bathroom facilities were missing. The total project cost was J$177,685,498.36 which also represents the JSIF cost funded by the PDF and the GOJ.
Wednesday, the facilities in seven schools in the County of Middlesex were officially handed over at a ceremony at the Milk River Primary School.
The schools, Milk River Primary, John’s Hall Primary, St Faiths Primary, Hartland’s All Age, Chester Primary, Clapham Primary and Carron Hill Primary had facilities upgraded at a cost of J$51.3 million.
The scope of works in respective schools included construction of new eight-seater sanitation blocks with septic tanks and tile fields for final disposal. Included were ramps to facilitate the physically challenged.
“Sanitation and the means to practice hygienic behaviours yield direct benefits in terms of health, education and economic productivity,” said Scarlette Gillings, JSIF managing director.
