Govt spending $103M to restore 229 schools

According to Education Minister, Hazel Manning, this was $38 million more than last year’s figure.

Restoration work on the schools which have aged 50 years and over involved replacing outdated electrical wiring, sanitation and structural systems.

The Minister, who on Monday toured four of the restored schools — Enterprise Government Primary, Chaguanas; St Joseph TML, St Joseph; Barataria Juniour Secondary, Barataria; and Crystal Stream Government Primary, Diego Martin, said the objective of the vacation repair programme was to provide a safe and secure teaching and learning environment.

She said students of 166 schools would now benefit from improved infrastructure and better recreational and toilet facilities. She also indicated that there were 38 more schools still to be completed before the end of the year.

Manning emphasised that her ministry’s aim was to make 889 schools fully functional before year 2011.

After her visit to the four schools Manning praised the contractors — National Insurance Property Development Company (NIPDEC), and Palo Seco Agricultural Enterprise Limited (PSAEL) for what she described as “impressive work in such a short period of time.”

As scheduled, the Minister said schools will reopens on September 4, this time with students and teachers being exposed to an environment more conducive to learning. Manning said amidst all the clamouring taking place within the National Maintenance Training and Security Company (MTS), security guards would continue to fulfil their roles of guarding the nation’s schools which Government contracted MTS to do.