Nearly half-million in donations secured for JVD Primary’s reconstruction

The Jost Van Dyke Primary School has secured nearly half a million dollars in donations to go towards its reconstruction.

Education Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley made that announcement while answering questions in the House of Assembly recently.

He said: “In January 2018, a benefit concert was held in New York at Radio City Music Hall featuring the Dave Matthews Band, among other world-class artistes. This concert along with other donations raised $400,000 towards the rebuild of the Jost Van Dyke Primary school.”

Dr Wheatley said his ministry is in discussions with the Finance Ministry on the reallocation of money under the Caribbean Development Bank recovery loan to finance the building of the school.

He did not specify how much more funds would be required to construct the school. However, Dr Wheatley said an agreement between the Ministry of Health & Social Development and his ministry was made to put the new school on the land that was slated for the island’s new community centre.

Commencement date unknown

Meanwhile, Dr Wheatley said he was unable to specify when work on the said educational institution will begin.

“The commencement date for works depends on a number of factors, including discussions with the Ministry of Finance and the process of approving designs and awarding contracts. Once drawings are complete and adequate financing has been secured, I will be in a better position to give a date of commencement and a tentative date for completion,” the minister said.

He continued: “When the drawings are complete, the design will be forthcoming, and I can assure the Member for the Second District that he will be actively engaged in discussions regarding the rebuilding of the school and that it is a priority for the ministry.”