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  by pltm
• May 29, 2017
• 0

(PLTM) - The construction of the two buildings to house 32 additional classrooms at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) is progressing well.

Hon. Myron Walwyn, Minister of Education and Culture had promised that the buildings will be ready for the new September school term, to accommodate the extra school year students (Grade 12).

The first batch of students of the additional school year is currently being housed at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) campus, because the additional classrooms were not ready in time for last September.

Minister Walwyn has stated that he is committed to the overall upgrade of ESHS, including the long term plan of separating the junior and senior students, and building an auditorium.

"The overall separation of the school into junior and senior high will call for improved classrooms, improved labs, new furnishing and general improvement to the physical plan.”

He added, "I am determined to improve our school campuses on all our islands in the Territory.”

Recently, Minister Walwyn called on his boss, Premier Hon. Dr. Orlando Smith to release monies early, to allow for the upgrades of schools, including ESHS and the Bregado Flax Educational Centre on Virgin Gorda. There is $13M in loan funding for education.

"The money is spread out for three years, but I am going to come down to beg you (Premier Smith) to give me access to that money because the problems are urgent and we need to try our best to address them," he said.

Last month during a sitting in the House of Assembly, Minister Walwyn disclosed that to date, the government has already expended $340,690.55 on building A and $362,379.55 on building B at ESHS; and in addition, over $300,000 for purchase costs and other expenses.

He noted that each building requires in excess of over $400,000 for them to be completed.

As it relates to the Bregado Flax Educational Centre, Hon. Walwyn stated that a new primary school will be built to separate the juniors from the seniors, adding that the project will see an overall cost of $382,553.35.