Some students at Old Harbour High School in St. Catherine, now have reliable transport after the institution received a 29-seater bus, donated by the Japanese Government.

The vehicle, valued at more than $11 million, will cater mostly to students who travel long distances, filling a gap for safe, reliable, and efficient transportation. It will also be used to transport students on field trips, sporting events and other activities.

Speaking at the handover of the bus at the school on October 4, Minister of Education and Youth, Fayval Williams, lauded the Government of Japan for providing the funds through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP), to make the purchase. Williams said special thanks must be made to the people of Japan as “we continue to deepen the partnership”. She said that the GGP project “has played a vital role in the development of our schools”.

Meanwhile, Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica, Yasuhiro Atsumi said his country “stands together with Jamaica to strengthen the education system, so that all students can pursue their education and lifelong skills training opportunities”.

For her part, Custos of St Catherine, Icylin M Golding, who is also Chairman of the school, told her audience that the bus will enable the students to reach school much easier, and to “participate in more sporting events”.

Principal of the institution, Lynton Weir, said the students will reach school and return to their homes on time, with the acquisition of the bus. He added that this will also result in reduced cost for parents who used to pay the public transport operators.

For Executive Director of the National Education Trust (NET), Latoya Harris Ghartey, getting the Japanese to fund the acquisition of the vehicle shows the strength of partnerships. “It also stands as a testament to the deep-rooted commitment we have in providing our children with the tools they need to excel,” she said.

Student at the school, Ashanti Jones, said the “life-changing donation and invaluable gift will aid in students not missing classes due to unreliable transportation”. Another student, Dormel Hamilton, said the students will have a safe and reliable vehicle in which to travel to school, and appealed to motorists to take care on the roads.