Short-term fixes announced for housing displaced students
As the new academic year slowly approaches, the Education Ministry grapples with questions surrounding infrastructural concerns for several schools in the territory.
As a result, Minister for Education Sharie de Castro has announced the short-term housing fixes for the students affected.
In an announcement on Friday, de Castro said the Ministry of Education has partnered with Unite BVI and has agreed to absorb the total cost of infrastructural works needed to provide a safe and functional learning environment for the students at both Enis Adams and Francis Lettsome Primary schools.
In July, the Ministry of Education informed parents of plans to relocate staff and students at Althea Scatliffe Primary School as a structural assessment revealed the building was unsound and unsuitable for continued use. Consequently, preparations were made to house the students at Enis Adams Primary School and Francis Lettsome Primary School.
“I am pleased to report that the projects will start next week. And in the case of Francis Lettsome Primary School — which will be completed in phases — the first phase will to be completed in time for the reopening of school. This will allow for the students and teachers to occupy the space in time for the opening of the new school term,” de Castro said.
“The works needed at Enis Adams Primary School include the completion of the second-floor classrooms, which is slated to begin next week. However, because of the lead time necessary for materials needed to complete the works, this project is estimated to take a bit longer,” the Education Minister said.
As a result, de Castro said a decision was made to implement a hybrid system at the Enis Adams Primary School. She said this was done to ensure students at the institution are all afforded face-to-face instruction daily.
“Students from kindergarten to grade two, including students in the therapeutic kindergarten will attend school for full-day instruction from 8:30am – 3:15pm, Monday to Friday. Students in grades 3 to 6 will attend on a hybrid schedule with one-half of the population attending in the morning from 8:30am – 12 noon and the other half attending in the afternoon from 1 pm – 4:30pm. Consideration has been given to accommodate families who have students in multiple grades so that parents will not have to pick up at two separate times during the day,” de Castro said.
Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre
As for the Eslyn Henley Richez Learning Centre, the minister said securing a space suitable for the unique learning needs of the students has been a priority.
“We are pleased to announce that this group will be housed at the Valarie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cow’s Bay for the upcoming school year. Transportation will be made available for those who need it,” de Castro said.
“The Ministry of Education takes this time to thank the Social Development Department for allowing the use of this space and helping to ensure that teaching and learning continue for the Eslyn Henley Richez Learning Centre,” she added.
Elmore Stoutt High School
De Castro also acknowledged the unforeseeable setbacks which delayed the completion and opening of the new buildings at the Elmore Stoutt High School. She said the delay is in relation to the arrival of windows and doors along with other fixtures required for completion.
The Ministry has since decided to implement a hybrid system for students for the next few weeks. De Castro noted that the Recovery and Development Agency received some of the windows and doors and hope to receive the rest next week. She remains hopeful the school will be completed for October.
“Students of Grades 7, 10, 11 and 12 will attend face-to-face sessions every day from Monday to Friday. Students of Grades 8 and 9 will attend school in a hybrid fashion. On alternate weeks, students from Grades 8 and 9 will attend face-to-face sessions using the following pattern: Week 1: Grade 8 – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Grade 9 – Thursday, Friday. Week 2: Grade 9 – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Grade 8 – Thursday, Friday,” de Castro said.
“Students and parents will be provided with a calendar to indicate the days on which they should attend face-to-face sessions. Students in Junior grade levels will attend in the morning session and senior students will attend the afternoon sessions. The bell schedule for each session will be shared during orientation,” the Education Minister continued.
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Adjacent to SCB community centre is a much better place for a special needs school than next to the noise and activity of a police station
Thank you Unite BVI for stepping up and helping where Gov’t could not (or probably would not).
It’s a shame that not even one paragraph was dedicated to Unite BVI and their efforts here.
Sauda, Kim, Lauren, and Amanda your efforts are most welcome.
Stop using windows and doors as an excuse for the entire project falling behind. You put unrealistic expectations on every contractor involved and then slander a company because the project managers can’t do their job or over promised. Shame on you.
I thought they said this one was living the good life and big like a house, he look the same to me and yes, I said “he”
All I want to know is what happened to the entire Summer Vacation Period. Weren’t there updates as to the Public School conditions and them being ready for the upcoming Term. Exactly what are or what do the PS and Education Dept workers do? These so call short term fixes are RIDICULOUS and hinderance to both Students and Parents. I feel that it is Time to take the Bull by the horn and get Our Schools in top condition so that Students can settle down in a comfortable learning environment. Every year it’s from one issue to another. If Our Educational System is failing, how are We going to get Our economical structure in order? I say, sacrifice some of these no so important Projects( only beneficial to some)and channel the money towards Our Schools. Come on People!
The BVI school system fail. Bad too. 5 years after Irma and they still can’t get this under control.
I do not think it’s safe for the students to be next to the seawater, as they may wander off sometimes. the community center sea cow’s bay should not have been a final decision for that school.
All the billions we received and were wasted and or stolen we need every penny now…Politicians have brought the BVI to the septic..
MAY HAVE PLAYED WITH THAT CHILD’S HEAD ? ( SIDE EFFECTS ? ❓) HOPEFULLY CSC AND THE HOLY BISUP LAY THEIR HEALING ? ON HER SOUL R~MEN ?
Especially children with Autism. They love to go in the water. The feel of it is soothing to them. If anything, they should have been relocated to Enis Adams Primary School. Some of the ASPS classes that will be relocated to Enis Adams Primary could have gone to the SCB community centre and Ivan Dawson Primary School.
Short term fixes is all the BVI can do. “That will hold until I get paid” and no longer
So what happen to the 57,000 dollars was raised for the Eslyn Henly center?
That picture says it all – Minister of Education – clueless!!!