The Tribune

STUDENTS at NGM Major High School returned to classes on Monday as life on Long Island continues to return to normality in the wake of Hurricane Joaquin.

More than two weeks after the category 4 storm struck, the exterior repairs and internal clean up were completed and principal Machon Cartwright was able to hold assembly. A team of local workmen finished the challenge set them by KISS FM’s morning show host Naughty, who had rallied support, materials and funding last Thursday to ensure the school - which serves 300 pupils - would be open in time.

“When I visited the campus yesterday (Monday), the repairs had been done and many of the children were participating in class,” Loretta Butler-Turner, the MP for Long Island, told The Tribune last night.

The school is now waiting for a list of supplies, including manuals for teachers and books for the students.

The damage to NGM Major was more “cosmetic and superficial” in comparison to Mangrove Bush Primary School, where Mrs Butler-Turner found on Monday that “there were saturated walls giving out odours that would not be palatable to the students. There is still so much more to be done. It’s still a week to two weeks out.”

She said the principal, Carla Rodgers, had a list of essentials and a wish list to work through and emphasised that it was important the work was “absolutely properly done” rather than rush to reopen.

For the time being, the school was being held in a local church with some children not present as they had been displaced by the storm. “We have a small minority, mainly in Nassau, because their homes are so devastated,” Mrs Butler-Turner said. She added that teachers were present on Monday doing inventories.

She reiterated the gratitude of the Long Island residents. “We are so grateful, and me especially as the MP for Long Island, for the outpouring of support. Long Island people are so appreciative.”

Last Thursday after an on-air plea from Mrs Butler-Turner and the challenge from Naughty, representatives from the Chinese Bahamian business community, Pinder Enterprises, Super Value and The Tribune agreed to provide building materials, transport, funding for workmen and school supplies to restore NGM Major to operation for Monday. The Tribune agreed to pay up to $8,000 for local workmen on condition they got the job done in time for the students to attend classes on Monday.

A DC3 cargo plane delivered construction supplies on Thursday afternoon courtesy of Super Value and work on the outside of the school was finished over the weekend under the supervision of Wade Knowles, a local contractor.

The architectural shingles to complete the outside were put on a boat yesterday by Pinder Enterprises. The Tribune’s funds were used to hire nine workers for four days working round the clock.