Classes resume at Bellevue Primary; water shortage looms

BELLEVUE, Portland: AFTER NEARLY two weeks of suspension because of multiple land slippages, classes have resumed at Bellevue Primary School in the Rio Grande Valley of Portland – with a 90 per cent turnout of students.

The resumption of classes at that institution comes against the background of the clearing away of dirt, fallen trees, and other debris by the National Works Agency (NWA) on Sunday. The main thoroughfare leading into that community was blocked for the better part of 12 days following six days of heavy rainfall.

“Normality has returned somewhat,” said Herman Reid, principal of the school.

“We had a full complement of students turning out for grades five and six, about 70 per cent for grade four, and for grades one, two and three, it was down to about 30 per cent. I believe that some parents are a bit reluctant in sending out their children to school as a result of the ongoing rainfall, which is compounded by wet and slippery conditions. My staff complement was 100 per cent.”

WATER IN STORAGE

He said, though, that they had no electricity and “some amount of water in storage”.

According to the principal, a metal tank near the front of the school contains enough water for the next two weeks. However, with all the students expected later this week and beyond, the amount of water in the storage tank could be severely depleted.

Added the principal: “There are instances where residents who are without water for their domestic use collect from the storage tank, which could pose a serious problem for us at the school. Therefore, I will have to be monitoring the water situation closely, so as to prevent a crisis.

“We will be able to run our canteen and students will be able to use the bathroom, but plans will have to be put in place to deal with the shortage of water if that becomes a reality.”

And councillor for the area, Benny White, told The Gleaner yesterday that he would be carefully monitoring the water situation at the school.