The Ministry of Education wishes to update the general public regarding progress on school repairs and redevelopment.
As we begin the new school year, it is important that we update you on the progress to date with the repairs and redevelopment within our schools. As you may be aware, damage was caused to our schools by Hurricane Irma to varying degrees, at each school, and hence the type and extent of redevelopment varies. As we go forward into the new academic year 2018-2019, it is important for all of us to note that work will be ongoing and in some instances will continue over the course of the next two years.
Our ultimate goal is to build back better, stronger more resilient and to greatly enhance the teaching learning environment in our schools. We aim to optimize on this opportunity to rebuild our schools and to provide better facilities for our teachers and students.
In terms of rebuilding, unfortunately progress has been frustratingly slow. This has been due to a number of reasons including the rigorous procedures required to access the grant funding which are quite new to us and require extensive amounts of documentation and pre-qualification. In addition, there is the procurement process, which at times does not lead to a successful candidate and has to be repeated hence slowing down the process. The shortage of human resource capacity is also a critical issue affecting the pace at which work is done. However, despite these challenges, we remain steadfast and look towards the end result and the bigger picture.
Progress in the repair, rebuild or renovation processes are therefore are at different stages of completion at each school. At this point I wish to update you on the work being undertaken at each of the primary schools as the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School would have been addressed in a previous press release.
? At the Vivien Vanterpool Primary School, plans are in place for the creation of additional learning and recreational space, as well as roof repair and repair of other small areas.
? At the Morris Vanterpool Primary School, a design concept has been approved and design plans are being developed. The damaged school building is scheduled to be demolished and it is anticipated that construction will begin in the old location in January 2019 and will take a period of twelve months.
? The Orealia Kelly Primary School received extensive damage to the auditorium and other areas. To improve resilience, it is proposed to replace all zinc roofs on the school with concrete and to construct additional bathrooms, support rooms, kitchen, library and other learning spaces for the school, upstairs one of the blocks.
? At, the Valley Primary School, there has been an extensive review process in relation to the documentation and plans for the school, which has resulted in unanticipated delays. Construction is scheduled to begin before the end of the year. However to minimize disruption to the school due to noise and dust, two buildings have been recently demolished, prior to the start of the new school term.
? At the Adrian T. Hazell Primary School, there has also been an extensive review process in relation to documentation and plans for the school which has also resulted in unanticipated delays. The auditorium is to be demolished once temporary replacement space is constructed. Construction is expected to begin before the end of the year and efforts will be made to minimize noise and dust during the construction period.
? At the Alwyn Allison Richardson Primary School, some repairs have already been undertaken. Further repairs are currently ongoing to the roof.
Other repairs have also taken place at the Teachers’ Resource Centre and the Rodney McArthur Rey Auditorium.
The Ministry of Education and the Government of Anguilla on a whole are extremely grateful to the Governor’s Office and the United Kingdom Government for their support and financial assistance in this process as we strive to redevelop the education sector. Much gratitude is also extended to the staff of the Ministries of Infrastructure and Finance for continuing to assist us in this process.
The Ministry remains thankful for the sacrifices of the Department of Education, principals, teachers, parents and students in trying to ensure that the education of our students is not compromised in the current circumstances. We are grateful for the contribution of all stakeholders as we work together to enhance the provision of educational services for our nation’s children.
We will continue to make every effort to keep the public abreast of the progress of redevelopment of the education sector and ask for your continued patience and support in the year ahead.
Honourable Cora Richardson Hodge
Minister of Education
31st August 2018
