Construction of three primary school in St Lucia likely to complete in July 2022

The work on the Education Quality Improvement Project (EQuIP) of the Ministry of Education of St Lucia, which includes the construction of the three schools, is going smoothly. The Ministry of Education has informed about the work on February 25, 2022, and stated that the work is expected to be completed on time, that is, in July 2022.

The larger primary schools are being rebuilt in La Guerre Community Centre. The garden and Walcott memorial methodist are each receiving a new wing construction at the three sites, commenced in June 2021 under the education quality improvement project, statement of government reads while informing about the construction work of the three schools.

The education quality improvement project is equipped at a total cost of 24 million EC  dollars through funding from the government of St Lucia and the Caribbean development bank.

While giving an update on the project, Kurt Charles, one of the engineers of Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) representing Danian C limited projects consultants for the three projects, said that everything is going as planned and the contractors are expected to deliver the schools on time. The tour of the facilities began at the La Guerre primary schools construction site, which is said to be 40 percent complete.

He further noted," I believe that we could make the completion of schools by July of this year. As you can see, most of the building is up, so by the end of the next period, we should at least have well on the way with the roof construction of the building".

Outlining the qualities of the schools, Charles asserted that the schools are more advanced in technology, and these are about 6000 square feet. He explained that all three schools are expected to benefit the students with modern amenities and smart classrooms.

Cyrus Sipal, an education officer for the district of La Guerre, where the larger primary school is located, says this will ensure the sustainability of modern education at these institutions for the generation to come.

"I am excitedly looking forwards to the completion of the school, not just the physical structure but all other gadgets that will be added to it to make learning easy for children", underscored the education minister.

He stressed that the children would love a place as they will feel safe, which is the most important part. The children have faced many problems in the previous schools, so with the construction of the school, the student and teachers will be in a very conducive environment.

"We are looking forward to making sure that we use these schools for the betterment of our students, as they will be benefited from the facilities such as improved vehicular parking conditions and improved site drainage.

The new larger primary school building will comprise a basement with an open breezeway, ground floor and a top floor, which will house classrooms, a library, laboratory and the music room.

Moreover, the ground floor of the classroom will consist of one classroom, music room, theatre, arts and a sickbay from the communications unit of the ministry of education sustainable development innovation science technology and vocational training.