Shaneka Flowers-Graham
Born in 1975, exactly 39 years ago, in the district of Lodge close by the community of Mile End, located in the parish of St. Ann, is the
Clifton Lodge Basic School, Lodge, near Mile end has been serving the community for 39 years.
It was started at the St. Margarett Anglican Church by Hyacinth Hoilett popularly called “Ms Bibsy” who made sure that the school was recognized by the ministry in 1977. Not long after, as the school’s population grew, it became necessary to relocate it.
Ms Bibsy served as principal at the school for approximately 33 years when she resigned in 2008. The task was then passed on to Allison Leslie, who served in the position for eight years. Now, Tellecia Jackson is the principal of the Clifton Lodge Basic School.
Twenty (20) children, ages 3-5 are enrolled at the school. The members of staff include: Tellecia Jackson, who is also the class three ( 3) teacher; Cherine Jackson, teacher of classes one and two) and Verma-Leen Campbell, the cook.
The principal says the present number of children enrolled at the school is due to the small number of children in the community as well as the growth of basic schools in the area.
She told The Times that the school is financed from children’s school fees, as well as sponsors from clubs, such as the Kiwanis Club in Ocho Rios. When asked how supportive the parents are to the school, Ms Jackson said “they are very supportive and involved in the affairs of the school.”
The children at the Clifton Lodge Basic School are guided by the Early Childhood Commission Integrated Curriculum which includes lessons from Science, Social Studies, Mathematics and English. The children are very dear to the staff at the institution. When asked what made the school special, Ms Jackson stated, “The dedication of the teachers, because we really go all out, the interaction between the staff and students.”
Ms Jackson extended gratitude to the Chairperson of the school, former principal Allison Leslie, Nesroy Grey, the community center manager, for his continued aid in making sure that the school’s environs are kept clean, the Kiwanis Club and the staff and parents for the dedicated work and support to the school.
