TCI: Ministry of Education Update on School Repairs

#TurksandCaicos, April 19, 2018 – Providenciales – The Ministry of Education, Youth, Culture and Library Services wishes to continue updating the public on the progress of works to the schools’ infrastructure throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands following the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September last year.

As we are aware, 95% of the schools throughout the islands were affected.  This has encouraged the Government to take a bold decision to rebuild stronger, more resilient schools, improving the standard of school buildings so that students can learn in high quality classrooms and teachers have access to the best facilities.  This is a vital part of the government’s long term plan for education and will help build a stronger economy and a fairer society.

Works on Phase III of the Long Bay High School is progressing on schedule and the work is expected to be completed in July 2018.  Works at Enid Capron Computer Classroom Block are ongoing and projected to be completed in May 2018.

A supplementary budget of $8 million was approved for repair works to Iris Stubbs Primary and the Marjorie Basden High School will commence shortly.   The new block of the Eliza Simons Primary School will be completed in July 2018.  The Government, in its commitment to rebuilding schools, has budgeted in this fiscal year 2018/2019 funds for the repairs of our public schools.  These schools include Mary Robinson Primary, Enid Capron Primary (Phase II), Ianthe Pratt Primary, C. Hubert James Primary, Adelaide Oemler Primary, Oseta Jolly Primary and Clement Howell High School.

Although repair work at the Clement Howell High School commenced before the storm, the school sustained extensive damages during the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.  Work will commence once the budget is passed in the House of Assembly.

The Ministry would like to commend all principals, teachers, parents and everyone who have been instrumental in helping the school term to continue despite the challenges that exist throughout the islands.    Your resilience and unwavering support cannot go unnoted.  The school is perceived by children as a psychologically and emotionally safe space and our focus right now is to make sure that our kids are secured and that our teachers are in a comfortable and safe environment.  Works are ongoing to improve working and learning conditions at Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex for the teachers and students alike.

Further updates from the Ministry will be issued through the media as the situation demands.

Release: TCIG