Ministry of Education

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Students and staff of the Hibernia Basic School in North East Manchester now have a new and improved home, which was constructed at a cost of $2.3 million, through local and overseas assistance.

The new facility, which accommodates 45 students and five members of staff, consists of two classrooms, an office which doubles as a sick bay, a kitchen, and three restrooms.

The project was facilitated by Food for the Poor (FFP), with assistance from the DeMatteo Family and students from Lyn University in the United States. Community member, Hilford McKnight donated the land for the school.

Project Officer for FFP, Ms. Beth Carroll, speaking at the official opening ceremony held on Sunday (October 25) said that the school is equipped with all the necessary conveniences.

"The piece of land that was there before it was an empty lot and everybody can now go there and see a beautiful basic school that is equipped with all the necessary conveniences that the Early Childhood Commission requires," she stated.

Principal, Ms. Yvonne Ennis, in providing a brief history of the institution, informed that it was founded in 2002 by Pastor Desroy Smith and his wife Lileth and was previously housed at the Hibernia Restored Church.

With increased enrollment over the years, the space became inadequate, and after representation, Food for the Poor came to the school's assistance.

Construction on the new facility began on May 23, 2009 and on July 21 the keys to the finished building was handed over.

At the opening ceremony, a number of persons made monetary pledges so that further work could be carried out on the school.

Guest Speaker at the ceremony, Ms. Paula Mayne said that the new facility was not only an achievement for the community but should also be seen as a legacy to benefit present and future generations.

The building was declared open by Member of Parliament for North East Manchester, Hon. Audley Shaw and the school's principal.

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