-Clement Reid and Natalie Campbell

Classes are expected to resume tomorrow at the St James High School after they were dismissed early today due to disruptions. 

It’s reported that students and staff turned up at the school this morning to find the gates padlocked. 

Access was gained to the compound, after the matter was brought to the attention of principal Joseph Williams who had the padlocks removed. 

However, reports are that face to face classes ended due to a water issue at the school.

Speaking to Irie Fm News this afternoon, principal Williams said he engaged with the National Water Commission and classes will resume tomorrow. 

The Education Ministry has condemned attempts to deny students of St James High access to the school this morning, after they found the gates padlocked.

In addition, the security force has been enlisted to investigate and prosecute.

The statement from the ministry follows another disruption of classes at St James High today.

According to the ministry, it  resolved operational disruptions the school early this morning, following the discovery of padlocked gates and the presence of police officers on the compound. 

A team from the ministry’s Region 4 office, including the education officer, the safety and security coordinator, and the building officer, was dispatched immediately to the institution to assess and resolve the reported challenges.  

A ministry statement says upon arrival, it was found that access was provided to the staff and students and immediate steps were taken to normalize the operations as per the timetable.

Meantime , Permanent Secretary, Dr. Kasan Troupe, is condemning the attempts of trespassers, who through what she describes as their cowardly and misguided act, denied the students of their learning space this morning.  

The statement says it is for this reason that the assistance of the security force has been enlisted to investigate and prosecute accordingly. 

Dr. Troupe further reports that, during attempts to normalize the operations, it was discovered that the school experienced a disruption in its water supply, which impacted the preparation of meals for students and compromised the sanitary conditions of the bathrooms. 

This was because works reportedly done by the Jamaica Public Service last evening, damaged water pipes leading to the reduced flow of water to the school.  

The ministry says it swiftly adjusted the school schedule, dismissing the morning shift at 10:00 a.m. and transitioned the afternoon shift to remote learning to ensure continued educational progress.

It says it will advance the work to address the governance issues at St. James High school to restore stability.

This will be done through the National Council on Education, and the regional office.