An organisation set up to help the public school system will finish delivering $75,000 worth of educational supplies today.

Support Public Schools, a community action group, yesterday delivered books, writing equipment and other equipment to nine schools between Pembroke and St George’s.

The group will complete their deliveries to the remaining public primary schools this morning.

Juliana Snelling, the coordinator of Support Public Schools, said: “Everyone’s reacting with joy and anticipation of opening the boxes and tubs and seeing what some are going to have in the classroom.

“You can feel a real excitement in all the school about being back.”

She added: “We’re just excited to see the children at school – they look all excited and we’re excited that they can have at least a month of using these great supplies.

“They’ll be there in the classroom when they return in September.”

Support Public Schools, which raises funds from the private and public sectors, started the drive at West Pembroke Primary School yesterday when they delivered boxes of supplies – which included cleaning equipment and Lego blocks – to the youngsters.

Ms Snelling said that the organisation had planned to make the deliveries on April 12, but had to postpone after the Government stay at home order was issued that month.

But she added the group used the extra time to drum up more funds.

Ms Snelling said that businesses donated about $60,000, with Butterfield Bank the biggest donor with $25,000.

She added that other businesses and members of the public donated about $15,000 worth of office supplies.

Ms Snelling appealed to the public to donate to the SPS to ensure public schools were as well-equipped as possible.

She said: “Our Government’s short on money – every government’s short on money due to the pandemic – and so we need a public/private partnership to make education work.”

Wendell Smith, the deputy principal of West Pembroke PS, said that the school gave SPS a wish list that included books and educational equipment.

He added that the Department of Education did a great job giving the school financial support, but the donations strengthened resources.

Mr Smith said: “On behalf of the administration, the teachers and the students, it’s with immense gratitude that we accept this wonderful donation.

“These books and supplies will help enhance our resources and provide some stimulating literature that can only help the students grow in their reading skills.”

He added: "With September just around the corner, when school begins, we’ll have an array of material.

“Obviously we’ve only got four weeks left, so this will help to provide a fantastic start to the new year.

“These books are brand new, so they’ll be in wonderful condition.”

Mr Smith thanked the sponsors of the drive – particularly reinsurance firm Aspen and office supplies firm AF Smith, who are regular donators to SPS.

Adam Barboza, the director of corporate responsibility at Aspen, which donated $10,000 to the scheme and supplied volunteers to transport the gifts to West Pembroke, said the company was always happy to help SPS.

He added: “Obviously, schools and the students have been going through challenging times with Covid, so getting them back into the classroom and having the things that make learning fun for them is important.

“We’re passionate about giving back to the community and it’s a part of Aspen’s culture to do that.”