OSETA JOLLY PRIMARY SCHOOL
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS
BRITISH WEST INDIES.

HISTORY

Mrs. Ellen Howell, daughter of the patron, the late Oseta Jolly, wife of the patron Clement Howell of the Government High School in Providenciales recalled the early days of Oseta Jolly Primary.

Mrs. Oseta Jolly came to the Turks and Caicos Islands on August 2, 1953 to serve as Head Teacher of the primary school from August 6, 1952. A new school was being constructed after the hurricane of 1945 damaged the school beyond repair.

Classes were held in the old Wesleyan Methodist Church building for a short while. In 1953, classes were moved to the current Public Health Department from 1953-1973. There were 3 classes: Lower, Middle and Upper divisions where three teachers were responsible for these classes.

The Lower division consisted of Junior A, B, and Standard 1
The Middle division consisted of Standards 2 and 3
The Upper division consisted of Standards 4-6

Standards 5 and 6 prepared for the Jamaica local 1 and 2 which were the exams to gain entry into the Turks and Caicos High School which was the only Secondary school in the islands.

In 1973, the school moved to its present location under the leadership of past Head Teacher Mr. Clement Howell. Over the years, the Oseta Jolly Primary has benefited from the dedicated hard work by retired teachers such as Mrs. Ellen Howell, Mrs. Cecily Ewing and Mrs. Mavis Cunningham-Williams. These individuals helped to lay the foundation upon which a vibrant school has been constructed.

The years passed and new additions were made to staff and the building. A new block and an Administrative block were added in 1993-1994. The old block presently holds Kindergarten 1 (K1) to Grade 3; the new block houses the Administrative block, staff room, small library, reading room as well as Grades 4-6.

In 1998, there are approximately 300 students at the Oseta Jolly Primary School under the leadership of Head Teacher Mr. Errol McLean and 13 staff members.