In the next twelve to fifteen months, the Adrian T. Hazell Primary School will have a number of new classrooms, library, an auditorium and other facilities under the Anguilla Programme funded by the UK Government.
The school has been short of a number of buildings which were demolished following extensive damage by Hurricane Irma just over two years ago. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new buildings was on Friday, December 6.
Governor Tim Foy, who heads the Anguilla Programme, with the assistance of other officials in his office, said in part: “I really want to pay tribute to the very hard-working staff of the Department of Education who made sure that within two or three weeks after that horrendous event, the children were all back in school. That was really important and something we should not forget: the determination of the staff; the education planners and all the others involved. They made sure that primary and secondary education in Anguilla was re-established quicker than any other parts of the Caribbean that were affected by Irma.”
The Governor also thanked a number of persons who were involved in rebuilding the Adrian T. Hazell School. He paid particular tribute to Bennett’s Construction and said he looked forward to the completion of the work by the end of 2020. He told the students: “It is a real tribute to a fantastic school with a fantastic heritage. Make good use of it. You are the future. We are building our country, and our young people are the foundations of our success.”
Acting Permanent Secretary, Education, Mrs. Dawn Reid, who chaired the ceremony, said: “At the Ministry of Home Affairs and Education, we have been quite stressed over the past year trying to bring the beginning of construction of schools, under the Education Sector Re-development Project, to fruition. I am sure the Honourable Minister of Education, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge [off island], can breathe a little easier now that we have reached this point. It has been quite challenging for students, the teachers and administration to carry out the business of education under the circumstances since post Hurricane Irma.”
Ministerial Assistant, Mrs. Evalie Bradley, spoke on behalf of the Minister of Education. “This is indeed a moment that we all can be proud and excited about as we hold the groundbreaking ceremony,” she stated. “This is a time that we can say to God be the glory for great things He has done, because we are one step closer to the reality of having a more modern and state-of-the-art facility. “
Mrs. Bradley continued: “I know there is some skepticism about the place as to why all these projects are beginning at this time, but I can assure you that I know about the passion and the determination of the Honourable Minister, and her team, to really get these projects started – but for reasons beyond our control, we have had some delays.”
The Ministerial Assistant was grateful to the students and teachers for their patience in crowded classrooms. She also thanked all persons who contributed to bringing the project to this point: the UK Government for providing the funding, the Education Department and Bennett’s Construction, the contractor whom she believed would deliver a good quality project and on time.
The Minister of Infrastructure, Mr. Curtis Richardson, was pleased that the various ministries and departments had taken responsibility for their projects as they were far too many for his ministry. He joined in thanking the UK Government and the Governor’s Office for providing the funding; and Premier Banks; the Minister of Education; and his other colleagues for their support for the various projects.
The Minister also spoke about complaints from parents who, apart from the hurricane-damaged school, were concerned about the rat and bat droppings and mold that had infested some of the school buildings. He was happy that with the demolishing and rebuilding work that the new buildings were now being provided.
Acting Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Susan Smith, and the Principal of the Adrian T. Hazell School, Mrs. Tiffany Thomas, spoke about the partnership involved in the project and offered their thanks and appreciation to all.
Miss Thomas observed: “In 2020/21 we will be eager to have additional classrooms and to have our new centres up and running. We will have an ICT room, an auditorium, a cafeteria and a library. This ceremony marks an important moment in rewriting the history of the Adrian T. Hazell Primary School. I am confident that the school will make the most of this opportunity, continue to grow and to make its mark in the community.”
Mr. Leonard Bennett, the contractor, pledged to work diligently to have the school buildings completed within the new school year.
Mrs. Dorothy Hazell, former educator and widow of the late Principal, Mr. Adrian Hazell, was among those who participated in breaking the ground for the new school buildings.
