Hydel and Cumberland High Schools Advance St. Catherine Merger Plans

Plans to merge Hydel High School with Cumberland High School in Portmore, St. Catherine are moving forward after Hydel confirmed it will close when the current academic year ends.

Financial strain has affected the Hydel group of schools since 2022. The shutdown has prompted a merger that would place both student bodies on a single campus. Cumberland can hold up to 1,000 students. Hydel currently enrols 670 pupils, while Cumberland has 425.

Dozens of parents left an emergency meeting at Cumberland on Thursday. None spoke on camera, though several said they welcome the merger.

A former Cumberland student said the union would mark a fresh start for both institutions. "I feel excited because to me, it's a brand new start for both school. And there's a lot there that our student can achieve and learn from each other," the past student said.

Stakeholders at Cumberland also cited Hydel's strong showing at the annual Boys and Girls Athletics Championships. One supporter said Hydel's sporting record could help raise Cumberland's profile. "Hydel have a great sports background, for example. Cumberland now, when it comes to sports, it's not that high. So, they can also learn from Hydel students when it comes on to sports to go worldwide, bring the school name above averages and stuff like that," the person said.

From next week, furniture from Hydel is scheduled to move to Cumberland. Teachers and ancillary staff from Hydel will transfer to Cumberland without losing seniority. Once the merger is finalised, the school will have two vice principals.

Dr. Walton Small, principal of Hydel High School, is not expected to remain in the post. His contract ends with the school year, and TVJ News understands he does not plan to renew it.

Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon addressed the plan on June 22. "The ministry has been looking at a merge of the two schools and having one plant and that is what we are in the process of working through. But we always do these things with consultation with the teachers and also with the community, with the parents," she said.