MOCHO, Clarendon:
ASHLEY PRIMARY and Infant School got a much-needed facelift on Monday when scores of residents cleaned, scrubbed and painted the 57-year-old institution on Labour Day.
On completion of the day's work, Clifford Campbell, principal of the Clarendon-based institution, graciously thanked the participants for the new look of the school, adding that the facelift will enhance the process of learning.
"It's was a great day; the team here did a very good job. The new look of the school is good for learning and development because, as you know, a clean and beautiful environment augurs well to the learning process," said Campbell.
"I must thank the entire team for a job well done - Councillor Helen Simpson, THLC Construction, the Mocho Citizens' Association and community members who gave of their time to beautify Ashley Primary today. It is my hope that they will continue to give us their support," added Campbell.
Simpson and the managing director of THLC Construction Company, Wayne Weather, who provided materials and labour for the beautification project, lauded the Labour Day team for the facelift of the school and underscored the need for community participation in institutional development.
"This is a good example of community participation in community-based institutional development. As you know, a school is a place of learning for the entire community. Therefore, it is important to have community participation in its continued development," Simpson said.
"THLC is pleased to partner with the Mocho community in sprucing up the school, and we will be deepening our partnership with the Ashley Primary School by undertaking additional projects here," Weathers, who manages the construction company, promised.
The primary school, which was built in 1958 and is currently awaiting the opening of a new bathroom block built by charity organisation Food For The Poor, was painted in bright yellow and golden brown.