On Friday, August 28 at the parking lot of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School’s Campus Q, Government handed over to the Department of Education six brand new school buses that would supplement the existing fleet.
Speaking during the handing over ceremony, Principal Assistant Secretary, Joselyn Johnson, said: “These buses represent a visible and practical investment in our education system. They will strengthen the reliability and capacity of school transportation services and provide greater reassurance to the students, parents and families who depend upon such transportation each day.”
The Honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Jose Vanterpool, expressed how gratified and delighted he and his team was to hand over the buses. “Today is a proud moment for the Government of Anguilla and the team at MICHU as we officially hand over these six new school buses to the Ministry of Social Development and Education in preparation for the start of the new school year.”
“This investment is a testament of what can be achieved when ministries work together with a shared purpose,” Minister Vanterpool said.
The Honourable Minister of Social Development and Education, Mrs. Shellya Rogers, spoke of the pleasure she felt in accepting the buses. “Today marks an important milestone for education in Anguilla,” she said. “On behalf of the Ministry of Social Development and Education, I am pleased to formally accept these six new school buses for the use of the Department of Education and, most importantly, for the benefit of students, families and the community.”
“School transportation is not simply about moving students from one location to another,” she said. “It is an essential link in the education system. When a student can travel to and from school safely, reliably, and on time, that student is better positioned to learn effectively. Parents and guardians also have greater confidence and schools are better able to begin and end the school day in an orderly fashion.”
“The arrival of these six buses,” she continued, “represents more than just the purchase of vehicles. It is an investment in safer journeys, improved service reliability and greater transportation capacity.”
The Minister remarked on the “divine provision” which was experienced in acquiring the six state-of-the-art buses without having to wait several months for their arrival.
The buses were blessed and prayed for by Pastor/Teacher Phillip Gumbs, as persons gathered around the vehicles in a prayerful mode.
Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Tracelyn Hamilton voiced her appreciation for the new buses as well. “We at the Department of Education are indeed very grateful for this new fleet of six buses,” she said.
Education Officer, Secondary, Ms. Sherise Gumbs, also expressed her delight. “I am so excited to know that we now have these six new buses, and there will be now no more 6:25 a.m. calls from the bus drivers saying that they have mechanical issues. So, I am eternally grateful to the Government of Anguilla for fulfilling its promise.”
Also expressing his impressions was Head Bus Driver, Justus Rogers. He vowed that the reliable and dedicated team of drivers is prepared to take good care of the new vehicles. He urged the relevant government officials to help prevent damage to the new buses by keeping the bus routes clear of overhanging trees and to assess field-trip locations.
The investment in the six buses is approximately EC$3 Million. They are of a Thomas model, and are fully air conditioned and equipped with interior and exterior security cameras to improve the comfort and safety of students.
It has also been officially reported that the school bus fleet still requires an additional four buses to fully meet the transportation needs of the island’s public school system.
