The secondary school being build in Nappi Village in Region Nine is to be named after the late famed balata artist and toshao, George Tancredo, according to a release from the Ministry of Education.
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, recently launched the construction of the $215, 802, 200 school.
The release from the Ministry said that the school will cater to 300 students from the villages of Nappi, Hiawa and Parishara, offering Grades 7 to 11 and eliminating the need for children to travel to St. Ignatius for secondary education.
The school, named in honour of the late toshao, reflects the community’s desire to commemorate his dream of bringing a secondary school to Nappi.
“Tancredo tirelessly championed the cause, envisioning a future where children in his village could access quality education close to home”, the release said.
The contract for the project has been awarded to Beerdat Harrinandan through the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). Construction is scheduled to be completed within nine months.
In her address to the contractor, the release said that Manickchand emphasized the importance of timely delivery and high-quality work.
“For you, this is a project, but for us, this is changing lives for the children of Nappi, Hiawa, and Parishara. We want to see good work, which is what you’re being paid to do, and why you signed a contract. We want to see it on time and at cost. Don’t overrun your time, don’t overrun your cost, and give us solid work”, she admonished.
The contractor said he had enough material on the ground to enable him to finish as per contractual date.
The construction is also providing employment opportunities for the village, as labour is being sourced exclusively from within the community.
During a meeting with villagers, teachers, parents, and students, the release said that Manickchand underscored the government’s commitment to providing the necessary resources for the holistic development of hinterland communities.
“Your village has the capacity to produce the president of this country, to produce doctors, to produce lawyers, farmers, accountants—anything your children want to be. But you can only achieve that if you have the resources. What are those resources? You need to have a school to sit in. And when you sit in that school, you need a strong, solid, high-quality education with trained teachers. And then we must support your parents and the students to ensure they can benefit fully and enjoy the experience thoroughly”, she said.
