Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai commissioned newly-built primary and nursery schools at Jawalla and Quebanang, Region Seven on Monday.
More than 300 students from 10 neighbouring communities are expected to benefit from the schools which cost over $60M, a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. The schools were built with funds from SIMAP, the Caribbean Development Bank and the Canadian International Development Agency. In her address Sukhai said it was an important day for the region’s children. She said the new schools are conducive to education as they are spacious and comfortable.
Meanwhile, Harold Brown, former head teacher of Jawalla primary said that the old building will be rehabilitated and turned into a Natural Heritage Museum. He said some time in the past five years a request was made for a new school because the old building posed several safety hazards.
He said the new structure was completed within six months. Brown also said the school can now truly provide educational opportunities equal to that provided on the coast as it boasts a computer laboratory.
According to GINA more than 1,000 schools have been built and or rehabilitated which has boosted access to secondary education to about 75%.