CLARENDON, Jamaica — A significant setback has hit Bustamante High School in southern Clarendon, where the school’s computer laboratories were engulfed in flames early Tuesday morning, leaving students and staff reeling from the loss.
Principal Wayne Evans expressed deep concern for the students enrolled in Information Technology (IT) and Electronic Document Preparation Management (EDPM) classes, emphasizing the critical role these labs play in their education. “This is a huge blow for us. Our labs are essential for student development, particularly for those who come to us with lower performance levels. They rely on these facilities for diverse learning experiences. The impact on our IT and EDPM students will be substantial if we cannot recover swiftly,” he said, visibly shaken by the incident.
The fire, which began around 2:00 AM, escalated quickly, and by the time the fire brigade arrived, it had spread throughout the building, completely destroying both computer labs. Evans noted that the school had been experiencing electrical issues for some time, which he suspects may have contributed to the fire. “We’ve been raising concerns about our electrical system for a while now. We believe the fire may have been sparked by wiring issues in the main supply. While we can’t definitively identify the cause, this seems to be a likely factor,” he explained.
William Shagoury, chairman of the school board, characterized the fire as a disaster for the institution. “This is a significant loss of equipment. With all the challenges the school has been facing, this incident is yet another hurdle. It feels like we can’t catch a break. It’s a sad day for Bustamante High School,” he lamented, adding that he is awaiting further investigation results to determine the fire’s cause.
In light of the circumstances, Principal Evans is reaching out to the local business community for support. “We are appealing to everyone—businesses and community members alike. Bustamante High School needs your help. We are fighting to ensure our students receive the education they deserve, and we cannot afford to have them out of class for too long. The longer this situation persists, the more challenging it will be for their learning and development,” he stated.
As the school community rallies together in the wake of this tragedy, they remain hopeful for a swift recovery to restore vital educational resources for their students.
