Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry on Wednesday commissioned brand new science laboratories at the Canje Secondary School, Vryman’s Erven Secondary School and the Berbice Educational Institute, all located in Region Six.
According to Kim Williams-Stephens, Regional Executive Officer for Region Six, the Canje Secondary School and the Vryman’s Erven labs cost some $14.3 million each to construct, while the lab at the Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) cost some $15.1 million. Stephens noted that buildings had to be erected at the Canje Secondary School and Vryman’s Erven Secondary School to house the labs, while the BEI had a portion of a building available where the lab was installed.
Henry during a brief interview stressed that she is working towards ensuring that every secondary school is equipped with a science lab at a minimum.
She stated that education is important for human and social development and noted that she has a responsibility for education and that the ‘good life’ means different things for different people.
“When we are talking about the good life, we are talking about building the capacity of our human resource so that they can navigate the various challenges that life will present to them not only from an academic perspective but also in the area of critical thinking, in the area [of] relationship skills and developing all those other skills that are necessary,” she said.
According to the minister, the various commissioning exercises were a part of a larger initiative which entails her visiting schools to ensure that the standards are being met as well as to “know where the gaps are.” She said technical officers would also accompany her so as to help fix the gaps identified.
Meanwhile, a release from the Ministry of Education said that on Thursday, the Education Minister visited the Woodley Park Secondary School in Region Five to have their science laboratory commissioned. The facility was constructed at a cost of $14M and it is the first for the school.
The release said that Henry told the students that she expects to see improved performance in the science subjects taught at the institution. Further, she urged the teachers to ensure that the new science laboratory, delivers content that will see improvement among the school population.
On Thursday, Henry also commissioned a new set of steel pans at the Belladrum Secondary School.
The New Amsterdam Primary School was also gifted 12 desktop computers and accompanying accessories from the Ministry of Education to aid its Information Technology programme.
Henry said that she is looking forward to academic improvements from the school and wants the computers to be adequately utilised. The twelve computers and accessories are valued at over $1.6M.
Henry also paid a visit to the Gibraltar-Courtland Primary School where she distributed items such as books and other educational items to the Grade Six students.
