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Concerned that students have been forced to stay home due to the inability of Paradise Street Basic School in central Kingston to open its doors, a group of taxi operators who ply their trade in the area have vowed to do their best in helping the early-childhood institution.

Terika Grant, the school's principal, said the reopening of the facility to face-to-face learning will be done as soon as the institution is able to comply with the COVID-19 protocols that have been established by the Ministry of Education. These include developing plans for the use and distribution of basic equipment and materials needed for sanitisation purposes, such as temperature check device, handwashing stations, masks, alcohol, sanitisers, and other personal protective equipment. Schools are also required to deploy staff to clean and sanitise school buildings, classrooms and other facilities prior to the resumption of school and on a daily routine while school is in operation.

Things that need to be done

"We have about 28 students on roll currently, and are looking towards opening our doors soon, but there are things that need to be done. There are parents who have expressed a desire to have their children attend the school, but they want face-to-face classes," she said.

Grant said one of the major things on the school's to-do list is an upgrade of the sickbay.

"We need an isolation area, and we also have a bit of plumbing issues as well. We are looking forward to welcoming back our little ones in person, but we want to do so in the safest way possible," she said.

Yesterday, a group of taxi drivers who operate in Manley Meadows met at the school and committed to give up one day this weekend to assist the school in its preparation for reopening.

"I have been running taxi in Manley Meadows for little over 20 years, so I am quite familiar with the school. Today we came to get a first-hand look on the place and the work that needs to be done. We recently had a small fundraiser and we will be using the funds to buy pipe fittings and build the wash stations, and so on," said Keith Morris, president of the Manley Meadows Taxi Association.