Back to school against the odds – Rural St Mary students face tough return amid flooding threat, outstanding repairs and parents struggling with costs

Daily schooling in the deep rural communities of Baxter’s Mountain and Pleasant Hill in St Mary involves more than books, pencils, uniforms and school supplies. It also requires the will to battle the elements.

When the rains come heavily, two rivers can turn the journey to school into a dangerous expedition, with children forced to cross fords that can swell within minutes. For some, getting home means waiting for the water to subside. For others, it means being rescued. And, sometimes, there is no crossing at all.

The story is part of ongoing coverage in the Caribbean category, reported by Lead Stories and shared here for readers following developments in this space.

Diajem Global Black News will continue to follow this story and update readers as more information becomes available. For the original reporting and further detail, see the source link below.

Source: Lead Stories | Published: Sun, 30 Aug 2026 05:06:46

Image: Photo by Karl Callwood on Unsplash