A brand new multi-million dollar school funded by the IDB in collaboration with the Ministry of Education was yesterday officially opened at Diamond by Minister of Education Shaik Baksh.
Built to the tune of $368,877,008, the Diamond Secondary School is a remedial institution which has a student population of 778 with a teaching staff of 24 and an ancillary staff of 14.
The school’s curriculum includes academic subjects: Mathematics, English A and B, Social Studies and Integrated Science which are the core subjects; and vocational subjects: Agricultural Science, Home Economics and Art.
The co-curricular programmes include a chess club and a choir. In addition, there are remedial programmes in reading and emphasis is also placed on sports.
Built by R. Bassoo and Sons Construction and run by a board of governors, the school has 26 class rooms and boasts among its features several special rooms though all are not yet fully equipped. There is a room for a library, a wood-working room, a science lab and a computer lab. So far, Scotia Bank has donated five computers to the school.
There is a designated plot of land near the school which will soon be developed into a play field.
According to Head Teacher Pamela Bridgewater, with the recent expansion of the Diamond community, the Ministry of Education saw the need for the construction of a secondary school in the area to cater to its rapidly growing population.
The Minister of Education said he feels a sense of satisfaction at the renewed interest displayed by parents who are becoming more aware of the need for their children to have an education. “Secondary education is very important,” he noted. “It is the bridge between the primary and tertiary levels of education, and more importance has to be placed on the acquisition of secondary education if universities are going to churn out a larger number of trained professionals.”
Baksh said that very soon, all the secondary departments of primary schools will be done away with and made into independent secondary schools like the new Diamond Secondary School.
Regional Education Officer for Region Four Sandra Smith, who also spoke at the ceremony, underscored the need for students and residents of the community to have not only pride, but a sense of ownership and shared vision for the new school as they aim to cater for its up keep.
Among those attending yesterday’s commissioning ceremony were Region Four Chairman Clement Corlette, members of the Board of Governors, parents and students who were treated to cultural entertainment which also made up part of yesterday’s programme.
