CLARENDON, Jamaica — In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a devastating fire ravaged the computer laboratories at Bustamante High School, located in southern Clarendon. The blaze has dealt a significant blow to the school’s Information Technology (IT) and Electronic Document Preparation Management (EDPM) programs, leaving scores of students without essential resources for their education.
Principal Wayne Evans expressed deep concern over the impact this disaster will have on students, particularly those enrolled in IT and EDPM courses. “It’s a very big blow for us,” Evans said, visibly shaken. “Our labs are essential for the development of our students. Many of them come to us with lower performance levels, and these labs provide a critical space for exposure to new learning experiences. Without them, our IT and EDPM students will be significantly affected if we cannot recover swiftly.”
The fire, which broke out around 2:00 am, quickly spread, consuming both computer labs before the fire brigade could contain it. Evans mentioned the school had been facing electrical issues for some time and speculated that the fire may have been triggered by tampered electrical wires on the main supply. “We observed fire on the electrical line before it entered the lab. While we can’t say for sure, we suspect this might have contributed to the fire,” he added.
The destruction has left the school community in shock, with Chairman of the School Board, William Shagoury, describing the incident as a disaster. “It’s a lot of computers gone, and with the challenges we’ve already been facing, this is another massive setback. As soon as we fix one problem, something else happens. It feels like we just can’t get a break. It’s a very sad day for the school,” Shagoury lamented. He is now awaiting the results of an official investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire.
In the wake of this disaster, Evans is making an urgent appeal to the business community and well-wishers for help. “We are in a critical situation. Bustamante High School needs your help. We’ve done all we can, but we are fighting an uphill battle. We believe in our students, and we cannot afford for them to lose any more time. Their education and future are at stake,” he urged.
The loss of the computer labs is a significant blow to the school’s ability to deliver quality education, particularly in the digital age where IT skills are vital for students’ success. The principal stressed that the longer the recovery takes, the more difficult it will be to mitigate the educational impact on the students.
Bustamante High School is now calling on the community to rally behind them and assist in rebuilding the labs to restore a vital part of their educational infrastructure. Every contribution will make a difference in helping the students get back on track.
