Fifty wall fans were presented to twenty-four primary schools in Jamalco’s operating areas in Clarendon and Manchester. The presentation exercise took place at the Jamalco Sports Club in Clarendon recently. The fans were donated to help schools cope with the unprecedented temperatures currently impacting the children during classes.
Managing Director of Jamalco, Austin Mooney said when the company became aware of the impact that the adverse temperature is having on students through the many requests from our principals we never hesitated to assist. “With the record-high temperatures causing catastrophic consequences, there are concerns that the students may experience severe heat stress because so many schools lack adequate ventilation and cooling equipment in the classrooms,” Mooney noted.
During the past summer, global temperatures rose to the hottest on record, reaching 17.18 degrees Celsius, or 62.92 degrees Fahrenheit on July 4 – the hottest it has been in 125,000 years. Experts are predicting that the extreme temperatures are here to stay because of the warming effect of the El Niño weather phenomenon, coupled with increased carbon dioxide emissions from industry and human activities.
And with the record-high temperatures causing catastrophic consequences globally, the Barbados-based Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF) in August said that Tropical Pacific and Atlantic Ocean temperatures should remain well above average for some time.
Mooney noted that “if we continue to experience these temperatures as predicted, we will explore how we can further support the schools with additional fans in 2024.”
In reiterating the effects of extreme temperatures on students, Corporate Services Manager, Donna Marie Brooks, says “Extreme heat poses a significant threat to the well-being and academic performance of our students. Research has consistently shown that high temperatures negatively affect cognitive abilities, concentration levels, and overall productivity. The company is installing two wall fans per school, and it is hoped that this will support an atmosphere that promotes focus, concentration, and overall productivity of students in schools.”
The fans donated to the schools is one of many ongoing initiatives by Jamalco aimed at strengthening educational resources in its operating communities. In August, the company donated 14 million dollars in scholarships to over 80 secondary and tertiary students and back-to-school supplies to some 300 primary and high school students.
