News
Grand Turk’s HJ Robinson High floods out, Gov’t says solution coming soon
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, November 25, 2023 – The government is close to awarding a tender for the HJ Robinson High School drainage project according to Jamell Robinson, Minister of Physical Following. Robinson was speaking to Magnetic Media following heavy rains last weekend which once again exposed the drainage issue.
HJ Robinson had to be closed on Monday, November 20th following the deluge caused by the passage of Tropical Depression 22 in the Atlantic Basin. Videos of the area showed a completely submerged parking lot and campus grounds.
“A tender was sent out on two occasions to address the HJR High historic drainage issues and the last has been
He stressed that further flooding in Grand Turk had been addressed and the HJ Robinson High was top of mind.
“Team PWD worked all yesterday to ensure the West Road and Pond Street ponds were pumped to ensure all roads ways were passable, which they are. HJRHS was the only school on Grand Turk to be temporarily closed for the day and the grounds will be addressed today,” he said on the 20th.
The Ministry of Education had on Monday afternoon informed: Earlier today, the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services ordered closure of the Helena Jones Robinson High School on Monday, November 20th, 2023, due to the flooding of the school grounds.
The Ministry of Education issued the directive late Sunday stating that the decision was taken to prioritize the safety of students and staff as significant rainfall associated with a weather system passing over the island led to flooding of School grounds.
The Government has secured capital funding to undertake a transformative project that will address the drainage issues as well as enhancing other aesthetics that will ultimately produce a more modern and safer campus. The project is in the procurement phase.”
High school students were due back at school on Tuesday, said the Ministry of Education.