St Mary Technical High School, Richmond, has reopened its newly renovated Chemistry laboratory, thanks to a donation from Petrojam Limited, Jamaica’s sole oil refinery. Its integrated science lab has also been reopened.
Petrojam decided to step in to provide financial assistance for the retrofitting of the Chemistry Lab to provide more modern and relevant facilities for students to complete laboratory work.
Petrojam, refurbished the school’s chemistry lab at a cost of just over $1.8 million. The project entailed infrastructure repairs, and the installation of new cupboards, tables, and gas and water lines. This was complemented by phase-one renovation of the integrated science laboratory, which involved similar work and was spearheaded by the school at a cost of some $2.7 million.
Approximately $1.5 million of the sum came from funds earmarked by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related engagements at the school.
The remaining expenditure was from allocations from the Ministry to undertake preparations for the start of the 2017/18 academic year.
Science, energy and technology minister, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, who officially reopened the labs on Wednesday (September 20), said the renovation of the facilities is in keeping with the Government’s focus on STEM, “because that will be the catalyst that is going to drive real economic growth and development”.
St. Mary Technical High School is the only technical high school in St Mary. The formal re-opening and handover of the lab, with a ceremonial ribbon cutting, took place on Wednesday, September 20, 2017
The schools’ principal Glascine McCormack-Lazarus, a past student, explained that the school is implementing the Ministry of Education’s STEM curriculum which focuses on the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
“This donation has come at the right time as improvements have been in the pipeline for the Chemistry and Integrated Science labs. This upgrade will play a key role in the proper development of the skills and aptitude of the students, to better able and equip them for examinations”, she said.
Petrojam’s general manager, Floyd Grindley said: “We saw an opportunity to assist when St. Mary Technical High School reached out to us. They are currently trying to implement certain aspects of the curriculum that require a functional laboratory. The results of these classes directly affect us as we need more persons studying the STEM subjects,” he said.
The Petrojam general manager said: “Our core business at Petrojam is refining and we require persons who have an in depth knowledge of science and technically oriented subjects; and so if we can pave the way for these potential employees, we are all for it,” Grindley explained.
The 45-year-old institution currently caters to the needs of approximately 1,200 students, with 65 members of academic staff, 17 ancillary workers and seven on the administration team.
Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, mayor for Port Maria, councillor for the Richmond Division and Board Member Petrojam, Richard Creary were also in attendance at the handover.
