Schools with ‘most severe issues’ to get priority

There is an audit underway to ascertain works to be done at schools over the summer holiday, said education minister Myron Walwyn, who also gave an assurance that schools with the most severe issues will get first attention.

“We are currently carrying out an audit of works that need to be executed in our schools for the upcoming summer break,” he said in response to questions posed by Leader of the Opposition Andrew Fahie in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, June 13.

The minister further said, “I am not in a position to share this information as the audit is still ongoing. But I assure the member (Fahie) that schools with the most severe issues will get first attention for capital works in the summer.”

Walwyn, in the meantime, said remedial works are being conducted on the physical plants of all public schools with funds allocated in the budget.

“In the 2017 budget, there was $423,000 allocated under the capital budget head 3250100 – School Rehab – for works in the schools. Additionally, there is $924,666 allocated under 25434004 – School Maintenance – in the recurrent expenditure in the ministry. The maintenance department in the Ministry continues to do remedial works at the physical plants of all public schools.”

The education minister also noted that, as previously disclosed, funds are being borrowed to undertake school work.

“Allowances have been made for a $13 million loan over the next three years that will be used to improve the physical plant at Elmore Stoutt High School and to build a new primary school in Virgin Gorda.”

“Plans are also underway to address the very unsightly situation where our students are holding assemblies and having lunch under tents at Elmore Stoutt High School. And as I have said in this House before, the time has come for the separation of the Primary and Secondary Divisions at Bregado Flax Educational Centre and we intend to make this happen,” the education minister further said.