New El Socorro school opens after six years

The 80 students enrolled at the school began attending classes at the $8 million school in September.

Acting Principal Sarran Mungal compared the previous structure to that of a "cascadura pond, as flooding was the order of the day." He said today’s modern structure had a cafeteria, sick rooms, science, computer, art and craft rooms, as well as a library. He said the new facilities provided the staff and students at the school with an unprecedented area of strength and opportunities.

Located at El Socorro Extension, across the Churchill Roosevelt Highway in San Juan, the school is yet to be fully completed. However, Mungal was optimistic that the Ministry of Education will keep its promise, and from January 2006, the computer room and the playing field will be fully ready for use by the students.

He thanked Joan Armstrong, Principal of the El Socorro Central Government Primary School, for accommodating them for the last six years, noting that the second sod-turning ceremony for construction of the school was held in 2002. Mungal said they were told that the school would be built in nine months, but it took three years. Nevertheless, he said he is thankful and called on parents, students and staff to "cherish, protect, value and use the school meaningfully." He said the school was made for uplifting and productive activities in the community. "It is not to be an eight to four kaleidoscopic elephant, but to be used on weekends for other programmes. It can be used as a shelter in cases of natural disasters, and it is yours with a capital ‘Y.’" Education Minister Hazel Manning, in declaring the school open, said it was the most beautiful school she had seen in a long time. She subtly suggested that all questions about why the school took three years to build should be directed to Maintenance, Training and Security (MTS), which was the consultant. Referring to the school’s motto, "Where there is a will there is a way," the minister said the staff, parents and students had the will, and the ministry had the way, to deliver the new school.

She also announced that the school will have an adjoining Early Childhood Care and Education Centre (ECCEC) located on its compound. She said she hoped construction of the school will start early next year. It will take three months to complete.

Manning also welcomed the school’s intention to have it used for other productive activities. She promised that the ministry’s doors will be open for discussions to have a lifelong learning centre established at the school.

Additionally, the minister said the El Socorro South Government Primary School will have the first Local School Boards among primary schools in the country, as the ministry moved to establish boards at 30 primary schools. Secondary schools already have school boards.

Manning said 150 schools have been targetted for major repair work and five primary schools will be constructed during this fiscal year.

The minister also presented the school with a gift of books for its library.