Ferry Basic School Gets $1.7m UDC Labour Day Upgrade in St. Andrew

Ferry Basic School in St. Andrew is set to welcome pupils back to a better-kept campus when classes resume, after the Urban Development Corporation and several partners used Labour Day to carry out a broad package of repair and improvement work.

The job included roof repairs, structural reinforcement, the removal and rebuilding of the kitchen, landscaping in the play area, playground upgrades, drain clearing, plumbing fixes, two bathroom vanities, repainting in sections of the property and other renovation tasks. Crews also fitted corrugated steel mesh over drainage areas to improve safety for students and staff.

UDC Customer Service Manager Diane Hanson told JIS News that the effort was the agency's corporate Labour Day project. She said about $1.7 million was put into remedial and upgrade work at the school.

“We recognised that when we came here, the kitchenette, for example, was not functioning and we realised that our children having a warm meal for lunch is important instead of just having snacks,” Mrs. Hanson said.

“What we have done is to carry out repair works in the kitchen. We actually rebuilt the cabinets and put in the necessary infrastructure to make sure that when we leave here today, they have a functioning kitchen and our children can enjoy a very warm meal daily,” she added.

Mrs. Hanson said Ferry Basic was chosen for this year's Labour Day activity because it is close to the Raintree Development Complex, one of the UDC's flagship developments. She noted that the agency has been selling lots in the area and wanted to make a meaningful contribution to the community.

“We have been selling lots in that vicinity, and so we thought it fitting to be involved in a very meaningful way in the community,” Mrs. Hanson stated. She also said the project speaks to the UDC's support for education and child development.

She thanked residents and partners who helped with the work, including Edge Chem Ltd. and Fesco Service Station.

“We are grateful for our partners… . They have their teams that are out here today, and of course, we know that with the work that is being done, we’ll see even more children from the community coming out and attending the school here,” she said.

Ferry Basic School Principal Salome Swearing said she was thankful for the changes made at the institution, which had been dealing with serious infrastructure problems.

“Words can’t even explain… . I’m very grateful for all that is happening,” she said. Mrs. Swearing said the upgraded surroundings should help students by giving them a more suitable space for learning.

“I’m just looking forward to seeing what the new school year will be like, now that the school has gotten an upliftment,” Mrs. Swearing added.

Ferry Basic School is one of several Labour Day projects being handled by the UDC. Other works are taking place in Trelawny, St. Ann, St. James, St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Portland and Kingston.