The Ministry of Education has committed over $179 million for repairs and maintenance to 49 city schools, in order to make them habitable in time for the September term.
In a press release, the ministry said the repairs fall under its current work programme and entail renovations valued $100.4M being done on 23 secondary schools; restorations valued $49.4M being done on 14 primary schools, and works valued $29.8M being done on 12 nursery schools.
Some of the schools set to benefit are the St Christopher and St Gabriel’s nurseries, the Stella Maris, St Stephen’s, West Ruimveldt and East La Penitence primary schools and the Cummings Lodge, Charlestown and South Ruimveldt secondary schools.
In addition, $34.3M is being spent on infrastructure works on 13 schools in the city.
Work in this category includes rehabilitating fences and sanitary blocks.
These works are expected to be completed by August month-end.
The ministry says it does not have direct control over the buildings, repairs and maintenance schedules of schools outside Georgetown.
Money for these works is budgeted by the respective regions and the ministry works along with the regions to ensure all schools provide an environment that is conducive to learning.
At the same time, the ministry said it is cognisant that there has been some amount of sloth regarding repairs to some schools and it has indicated its disappointment to the regional authorities.
According to the release, the ministry continues to make every effort to ensure that schools are safe, healthy and supportive learning environments and these efforts have been noted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
UNICEF, in its 2009 Child-Friendly Schools Evaluation Country Report for Guyana, said that progress has been made in the quality of the learning environment, GINA noted.
