Project architect Kavon Knowles speaks to Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin during a tour of the school yesterday. Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
By JADE RUSSELL
Tribune Reporter
According to government officials, repairs at several public schools in New Providence are on schedule and should be completed before the new school year.
Yesterday, representatives from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Works took the media on a tour of four schools that are currently being renovated using government funds. These schools include Uriah McPhee Primary School, RM Bailey Senior High School, Government High School and AF Adderley Junior High School.
Clay Sweeting, minister of public works and family affairs, said school repair projects in New Providence and the Family Islands are progressing on schedule and on budget. Mr. Sweeting acknowledged there have been challenges in the past, but noted that the process is going smoothly this year.
When asked about cases where schools did not open on time due to ongoing renovations, Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin dismissed concerns about delays in school reopening.
Ms Hanna Martin said if the repair work was expected to last beyond the start of the school year, it would not be started. She explained that her ministry had always managed to open schools without interruption despite reports suggesting delays in previous years.
“We really want to improve the work environment for our students, teachers, administrators and support staff. They spend many hours in these spaces and we want to make sure we provide a conducive environment,” she said.
“The Finance Minister, who is also the Prime Minister, understands this very well and has fully supported the work they are doing on these projects. Considerable public money has been invested in the renovation of the schools.”
Timothy Johnson, Chief Architect of the Department of Works, reported on the current status of Uriah McPhee Primary School. The car park has been completely renovated and new parking spaces have been created in front of the school premises. The toilets have been modernised, dilapidated ceiling tiles have been replaced and the floors have been resurfaced to give a smoother surface.
At Government High School, the campus has undergone major renovations. Kavon Knowles, an architect with the Department of Public Works, said the focus this year will be on modernising classrooms by replacing old 1970s panelled walls with concrete ones, and building new science labs.
Government High is one of the schools where a swimming pool is being built. Although officials could not give a completion date for the swimming pool, they confirmed that the work is underway. A technical and
A vocational training block will also be built at Government High.
During the tour, officials were unable to provide exact costs for the various school projects. However, the total cost is expected to be released to the public once repairs are completed. Mr. Knowles estimated that repairs to Government High alone could cost as much as $3 million.
At AF Adderley Junior High School, the basketball court floor was completely renovated. Meanwhile, at RM Bailey Senior High School, a new pavilion and a new grocery store are being built.
In addition, debris from demolished buildings at the Harbour Island All-Age School caught fire last week. The Minister for Construction said some debris from the demolition of a school building caught fire. However, he said a new school building costing over $1.5 million is to be constructed at the Harbour Island All-Age School.
