In a significant development for educational recovery, Park Mountain Primary and Infant School in St. Elizabeth has received a substantial $7 million donation from the iPrint Group of Companies. This contribution, facilitated through the National Education Trust (NET), represents a major step forward in restoring the institution’s hurricane-damaged infrastructure and learning environments.
The philanthropic initiative comes as a direct response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, which severely disrupted educational activities across Jamaica. The funding will specifically target the rehabilitation of critical facilities, ensuring the school can reestablish safe and effective teaching conditions for both students and staff.
Stephen Steele, Chairman of iPrint Group, articulated the company’s philosophical approach to corporate social responsibility during the presentation ceremony. “Recognizing the hurricane’s disruptive impact on education, we determined that supporting recovery efforts represented both an ethical imperative and strategic investment in national development,” Steele stated. He further praised Principal Carlene Williams-Heath’s resilient leadership throughout the crisis period.
The iPrint executive additionally issued a compelling call to action for broader private sector involvement, emphasizing that contributions could extend beyond financial support to include expertise, resources, or volunteer time.
Official remarks from NET’s Director of Donor and Partnership Management, delivered by Projects Coordinator Danielle Drummond, contextualized the donation within Jamaica’s larger educational landscape. The statement highlighted the “significant damage” sustained by multiple institutions and stressed the necessity of collaborative recovery approaches involving government, private entities, and diaspora communities.
Principal Williams-Heath characterized the donation as both timely and transformative for the institution’s restoration timeline. “This support arrives at our most critical juncture and will substantially accelerate our rebuilding initiatives,” she noted. The educational leader emphasized the direct correlation between physical infrastructure and learning outcomes, confirming the funds would help maintain environments where students can continue their academic development without disruption.