MANCHESTER, Jamaica – Classes have been suspended at the Cross Keys High School following Monday morning’s protest by residents and taxi operators over deplorable road conditions in southern Manchester.

Downed trees and debris blocked the Cross Keys main road and adjoining areas.

Principal of Cross Keys High, Paul Morgan, told OBSERVER ONLINE that the small number of students who turned up for classes were sent home.

“It hampers us as only 75 students turned up and a number of my staff are also absent. We have about 400 students, so it would be less than a quarter of our students who turned up,” he said.

“We have had to suspend classes for the day because we are told that the road has been cleared to some extent, but we are hearing that the possibility exists that it may be blocked again. In discussion with our chairman and the board of management, we have decided not to keep classes for the day because we do not want the children to be trapped on their way back home,” he explained.

When asked if the school would consider virtual learning, Morgan said there are challenges with internet access in southern Manchester.

“It is a rural area and we would have had some challenges during the COVID-19 era, it is going to be a challenge for us to make that link. We will try and do what we can in terms of reaching those students throughout the day,” he said.