A major dream of the school population at Esher Full Gospel Basic School in Hanover was realised Thursday with the official opening of a new school building, constructed by Food For The Poor Jamaica.

This is the fourth school to be constructed under the Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica 50 Campaign, which is building and/or upgrading 50 early-childhood educational institutions in 50 months, in celebration of Jamaica's 50th year of Independence.

The new structure at Esher Full Gospel Basic School brings to two, the number of school buildings now available to that early-childhood institution. The expanded education facilities have solved the overcrowding problem and other challenges facing the school.

Speaking at the opening, Jacqueline Johnson, FFP's executive director, said following a request from Principal Ivalyn McInnis, the charity intervened at a time when the institution was "experiencing serious overcrowding problems, limited classrooms, a need for administrative facilities, and challenges with a deteriorating school infrastructure."

She said the new school building comprises three large classrooms (which can be subdivided into additional learning spaces), a sickbay, an office, kitchen and bathrooms.

quality service

The executive director congratulated the school for its track record of quality service to a generation of Jamaicans. "Our wish is that this school will be a hub of success not just for the school population, but for all the communities it serves," said Johnson.

Johnson expressed appreciation to the Martin Babinec family, as well as other donors and partners who have been contributing to the Jamaica 50 Campaign.

An elated Ivalyn McInnis said the new school is a well-needed facility and would make for a more conducive learning environment for the 117 students and six teachers. "The new building has lifted our spirits and also made the learning environment more comfortable. It's really a great help to us," she declared, adding that the school is now in a position to accommodate more students from the surrounding communities.

"We feel very comfortable and we will make the best use of the facilities," McInnis promised.