Photo Credit: File

Photo Credit: File

A number of public schools will benefit from repairs in time for the new school year beginning next month. Hon. Myron Walwyn, Minister for Education and Culture who made the disclosure, said the works which have already started on some schools are not major.

"We are doing remedial works on some of the schools. We have asked the principals of the schools to submit their information and I want to take this moment to ask those who didn´t submit their information to please do so, because we still have a little bit of time left and we want to be able to ensure that the school environment is conducive for learning and very comfortable for our students. We are going to be starting some works on six or seven schools this week, nothing major," he stated earlier this week.

Further, the Minister said Government has plans in place to carry out comprehensive work on other schools such as the Jost Van Dyke and Anegada schools.

"We know that there is a problem over there [Jost Van Dyke] where in the secondary section of the school there is a space problem so we have decided to add two new classrooms to the Jost Van Dyke school to make things more comfortable for the students there."

He added, "Also construct a preschool area in Anegada, the infant section is also bursting at the seams and with the new students who would be coming in, the environment would not be one that would be conducive for learning."

Earlier this year, Minister Walwyn stated said his continuous tours of public schools have also showed him that they must address the urgent need of the physical infrastructure of schools in the Territory.

"Trying to learn in hot, outdated and sometimes dilapidated classrooms cannot be fun. Our campuses must also inspire excellence in our students. Presently, a physical assessment of our schools is ongoing with a view to implement a rehabilitation and maintenance plan for schools," he opined.

The Minister has always maintained that said as they create a culture of excellence, there is also a need for a National Library that promotes an atmosphere of learning; one that is aesthetically pleasing and that is accessible to all residents.

He stated that along with district libraries, a National Library will encourage a culture of learning at all levels and for all ages in the community.