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- Schools embrace minister's suggestion on energy source
published: Wednesday | January 9, 2008
Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter
School administrators yesterday welcomed Education Minister Andrew Holness' suggestion that solar technology be used in schools.
They, however, noted that an interim plan to address schools' skyrocketing electricity bills needs to be put in place.
On Monday, Mr. Holness said he was looking seriously at introducing solar technology in schools. Schools have complained about the large sum of money they have to pay for utility bills each month and have asked the Government to provide a utilities grant.
"That is a useful suggestion, but it will take time to do feasibility studies and other things," Michael Stewart, president of the Association of Principals and Vice-principals, told The Gleaner after contemplating the Holness suggestion yesterday.
He also noted that solar technology would have to be phased into schools and the bills would still be increasing for the schools which would go on the solar programme later in the implementation process.
"We would want something to be implemented in the near future because schools are bleeding," he said.
Renewable energy
Solar energy is a renewable source and comes from the light of the sun.
Mr. Stewart, who is also principal of Porus High School in Manchester, said his school - which has a population of 1,200 students - generates an electricity bill of more than $200,000 per month. The water bill, he said, was about $40,000 per month.
Nadine Molloy, president of the Jamaica Association of Secondary School Principals, said she welcomed the suggestion and hoped it would come to fruition.
"We are happy that the minister has heard of our response to solar energy," said Ms. Molloy.
"We do strongly believe that it (solar energy) will work out in the long term, but we need to look at getting concessions in the short term," said Ms. Molloy, who is also the principal of Buff Bay High School in Portland.
Dialogue with utilities
In the meantime, Ms. Molloy suggested that the Government have dialogue with utility companies, especially the Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd., in an effort to secure concessions for schools.
"That is definitely a solution, given that they cannot take up the cost of electricity bills," said Ms. Molloy.
She said several schools have come close to having or have had their utilities disconnected because of the inability to pay. She, however, noted that some of the companies are lenient because of the type of service schools offer.
petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com
published: Wednesday | January 9, 2008
Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter
School administrators yesterday welcomed Education Minister Andrew Holness' suggestion that solar technology be used in schools.
They, however, noted that an interim plan to address schools' skyrocketing electricity bills needs to be put in place.
On Monday, Mr. Holness said he was looking seriously at introducing solar technology in schools. Schools have complained about the large sum of money they have to pay for utility bills each month and have asked the Government to provide a utilities grant.
"That is a useful suggestion, but it will take time to do feasibility studies and other things," Michael Stewart, president of the Association of Principals and Vice-principals, told The Gleaner after contemplating the Holness suggestion yesterday.
He also noted that solar technology would have to be phased into schools and the bills would still be increasing for the schools which would go on the solar programme later in the implementation process.
"We would want something to be implemented in the near future because schools are bleeding," he said.
Renewable energy
Solar energy is a renewable source and comes from the light of the sun.
Mr. Stewart, who is also principal of Porus High School in Manchester, said his school - which has a population of 1,200 students - generates an electricity bill of more than $200,000 per month. The water bill, he said, was about $40,000 per month.
Nadine Molloy, president of the Jamaica Association of Secondary School Principals, said she welcomed the suggestion and hoped it would come to fruition.
"We are happy that the minister has heard of our response to solar energy," said Ms. Molloy.
"We do strongly believe that it (solar energy) will work out in the long term, but we need to look at getting concessions in the short term," said Ms. Molloy, who is also the principal of Buff Bay High School in Portland.
Dialogue with utilities
In the meantime, Ms. Molloy suggested that the Government have dialogue with utility companies, especially the Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd., in an effort to secure concessions for schools.
"That is definitely a solution, given that they cannot take up the cost of electricity bills," said Ms. Molloy.
She said several schools have come close to having or have had their utilities disconnected because of the inability to pay. She, however, noted that some of the companies are lenient because of the type of service schools offer.
petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com