C.B. Facey Foundation’s JMD 1,000,000 grant strengthened a critical component of our model this school year—our transportation programme. This investment ensures that our students can continue to access safe, reliable transportation free of cost, to and from school each day. 

In a recent focus group, parents shared that our transportation programme was more than just a cost-saving. Safety was a big factor. The programme ensures students know their drivers, reduces loitering and exposure to harmful influences and potential abuse.  

More than 470 students are transported daily from communities within an eight-mile radius of our Twickenham Park campus. The CBF grant has funded the operation of one of our buses for the past year, covering essential costs such as fuel and insurance, ensuring approximately 80 students are transported to school on time, ready to learn, and return home safely. 

Reliable transportation plays a vital role in school attendance. CHJ has maintained an average attendance of more than 93% for the last two years, significantly higher than the national average. Improved attendance directly contributes to continued academic gains, including progress in reading and numeracy levels across the school. 

Additionally, the programme eases the financial burden on families, who might otherwise spend up to JMD 48,000 per child annually on transportation. These savings allow families to redirect resources toward other essential needs. 

“The bus system is a good initiative. My child would have to go to school and I would have to pay for transportation. Now I just get him ready and send him off. I know he’s safe out there,” says Kerry Chisholm, parent of a grade 1 student. 

We extend our sincere thanks to the C.B. Facey Foundation for their partnership and commitment to expanding access to education.