SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — Manning’s School has almost completely recovered from the structural damage caused by Hurricane Beryl, and Principal Steve Gordon declared the work 99 percent complete.

The school is also supported by the Past Students Association’s ongoing effort to build additional classrooms on the campus of Jamaica’s second oldest high school.

“There are still some repairs that need to be done. (A) a few of the covers need to be replaced and there are some areas here and there that they (the contractor) need to come back and finish,” Gordon said.

The school was one of several to receive interest under the Government’s emergency procurement process after sustaining serious damage when the cyclone dealt a mild blow to the country on 3 July.

“We hope the remaining work will be done by the weekend… They promised to finish it within that time. “It’s not something that will disrupt (the school’s) day-to-day operations, but we’re hoping we can get those things out of the way and sign off to say this is 100 percent complete,” Gordon said.

“We hope (it will happen) as soon as possible. “That’s all I can say,” he added.

Gordon was talking to him. Jamaica Observer Following the presentation of two checks at a ceremony held at the institution on Wednesday.

One donation came from the neighborhood Samuels’ Hardware, which will provide $1 million worth of supplies to the Class 84 Alumni Block. The class of 83 provided a check for $1 million for audiovisual equipment for the school auditorium.

“Of course we need such a contribution because in the past what we would have had in the auditorium was in disrepair and so we would be using a mobile that was not useful in the auditorium. It comes with a speaker,” Gordon said.

Samuels’ Hardware’s contribution will go towards Class of 84’s current project, which was launched a few months ago, he said.

Expressing that the owner of the equipment was interested in contributing after the hurricane, the school principal said, “They are building two more classrooms to support our existing classroom space there.”

The Ministry of National Education was also pleased with the support given by the graduates.

“On behalf of the Minister and the Department of Education and Youth, I would like to begin by expressing our sincerest gratitude to the Class of 1983 and Samuels’ Hardware in Little London for their generous donation of a total of $2 million for the construction of four new classrooms on this campus. Financial only “This gift, which represents not only support but also a deep-rooted commitment to the development of future generations, underscores the importance of partnership and its transformative power in the education sector,” he said. Fourth Region Education Officer Dr. Shamara Brissett.

He said the additional classrooms will not only reduce overcrowding but also provide an environment more conducive to meaningful learning and personal growth.

Speaking on behalf of the association’s other three divisions, Manning’s Past Students Association President (Western Division) Roger Walcott said the $2 million contribution was a modest start.

“We are happy to receive the contributions today. This is a small drop in the ocean. There are many more donations to come and some have already arrived. So we are waiting to see who else will contribute,” said Walcott, 73rd grade.

He said other classes now provide assistance to the institution.

“This is a one-year group, one exercise. This is his contribution to the Manning they see now. We had a meeting with my class last year, and while walking around the property, we realized that the school canteen was in serious need of funding. And so they contributed $1 million to this project. There are other class groups that have given the same thing, and I know the class of 2004 has given over $2 million and the class of 76 has made arrangements to come and give some more. “I won’t say what that number is, but it’s a very nice number,” Walcott said.

“This has a ripple effect. People are seeing what we’re doing. People are learning that Manning needs. He has wants. He’s been neglected for too long, and we need to stop thinking about having someone else do it for us. We need to start thinking about doing things for ourselves,” he said. He thanked his ministry for its support.

During the event, Westmoreland Central Member of Parliament (MP) George Wright donated $100,000 to the 83rd class project.

Wright, who is not a former student of Manning, said his commitment is intended to encourage others to contribute to the school’s continued improvement.

The institution currently has a student population of 1,807 and 96 academic staff.