When John Paul Secondary School first opened its doors in March 2007, we welcomed 14 enthusiastic young men and women. 

We were incredibly proud!  Now here we are, 2011 (just 4 years later) and we’re even more proud to announce that there are now 154 students attending JPSS!  These are very eager and determined young people who sacrifice much to get a quality education and are determined to go on to become productive citizens and future leaders in their country.
Of the 154 students, in the class of 2011, 99 are girls and 55 are boys. The higher number of girls is due in part because we have a dormitory for the girls and it is filled to capacity at 64!  We’re hoping to build another dorm in the future so the boys will have a place to stay as well.

Boarding students are required to bring their own mattress, linens, toiletries, uniforms, eating utensils, mosquito netting and a strong lockage box when they arrive.  A matron lives with the girls and acts as a “dorm mom” to them.

The day students continue to walk up to 5 miles each way every day to attend classes.  They receive a noon meal as part of their tuition and boarding students received three meals a day.

The students attend classes year round with the school year beginning in Feb.  The first term goes from Feb.-April.  The second term goes from May-early Aug and the third term is from Sept-December. At the end of the year the students take their final exams but only if all their fees are current.  If the fees are not current, the student must wait until they are paid before taking their final exams.  That is one reason why you’ll notice the age differences in many of the students.  They drop out of school, get a job so they can pay the fees and then come back to school.  All because they desperately want to learn!

Having fun is also part of school life!  They love to sing, dance and play music on their handmade instruments.  Many of them are good actors and enjoy putting on a play for us while we’re visiting. It’s always entertaining and contains a good message!  Soccer and volleyball are the sports of choice.

John Paul students are just normal kids who unfortunately have had a much more difficult time receiving a good education.  We here have all been blessed with the opportunity to receive an education and sometimes we forget what a privilege it actually is.
These students are certainly going to be the light of the world!