Education Minister conducts site visit for two new secondary schools under construction

- Westminster and Good Hope Secondary schools to cater for 1800 children

Minister of Education Dr the Hon. Nicolette Henry, MP today conducted site visits at two new secondary schools under construction as part of the Guyana Secondary Education Improvement Project (GSEIP).

The schools that are currently being constructed are Westminster Secondary School located in the Parfaite Harmony Housing Scheme in Region Three and the Good Hope Secondary School on the East Coast of Demerara.

The two new institutions are slated to be completed by January 2020. The Westminster Secondary is being constructed by R. Bassoo and Sons Construction Company at a cost of $1B. The structure at Good Hope is expected to accommodate 800 children and is pegged at $857M.

When completed, the Westminster Secondary School will house 1000 students. The two new schools will cater to the education needs of the new housing schemes and their neighbouring communities.

The Education Minister said that the two projects are being funded by the World Bank and the institutions are intended to improve the quality of education in these communities and the wider population. Dr Henry explained that the site visits were necessary so that as Minister of Education she gets a clear understanding of the current status of the projects.

Further, the Education Minister said that from a technical perspective, she was advised that the quality of the work is at the required standard. In relation to the implementation of the project and meeting the expected completion timeline, Dr Henry said that she would have wanted the project to be further along the curb.

Notwithstanding, Minister Henry said that she highlighted her concerns to both the Technical Officers and the Engineers at the sites. Dr Henry said that she was assured that her concerns will be addressed and this will be visible when she visits in three weeks’ time.

Addressing the operationalization of the schools when they are completed, the Education Minister said that plans are currently apace to have the necessary teaching, administrative and other staff to occupy the school.

Due to the construction of the two institutions, youths in the communities have benefited from employment opportunities.

Both schools will be outfitted with a Technical Vocational Education and Training Department, a Science block, an Information Communication Technology Department, an Allied Arts section and all the amenities that are associated with a modern school.

It should be noted that these departments will allow for testing of international specifications to ensure that standards are met.