Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro has said that remedial works have begun for public schools in the Virgin Islands in anticipation of the 2023-2024 school year.

Honourable de Castro said that it was evident that the school infrastructure has suffered maintenance issues for quite some time while on a recent tour of public schools in the Territory. 

“We are diligently working on a rigorous schedule of maintenance and rehabilitation works during the summer months to address as many issues as practically possible,” the minister said.

Acting Deputy Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Claude Kettle said the focus was on addressing critical maintenance needs such as water tightness, mold remediation, electrical and plumbing works.

Mr. Kettle said the first project was a contract issued to Mr. Cecil Penn Construction Limited to replace the roof of the Claudia Creque Educational Centre on Anegada.  The works were completed on July 31.

Additional ongoing works include:

• The water tighting of the Alexandrina Maduro Primary School contracted to Garner Abraham Construction through the government’s procurement process.
• Remedial works, upgrades and painting of the Leonora Delville Primary School by the ministry’s maintenance team.
• The upgrade of the restroom facilities, replacement of doors, windows and other remedial works at the Joyce Samuel Primary School issued to ABSTR Construction.  
• Roof repairs, electrical works, upgrade of restrooms and other remedial works are scheduled for the Willard Wheatley Primary School before the re-opening.
• The water tighting of the Alexandrina Maduro Primary School contracted to Garner Abraham Construction through the government’s procurement process.

Mr. Kettle added that the ministry is awaiting bids for the tender for roof repairs, electrical upgrades, and other remedial works at the Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary School.

 “The bid is out for the replacement of the awning at the Ivan Dawson Primary School, as well as a contract for metal works for the repairs of walkway rails and the repairs to the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School entrance gate,” Mr. Kettle explained.

In addition to government spending on school rehabilitation and maintenance, there have been investments by the private sector including Unite BVI who has donated towards the installation of a playground and basketball court at the Francis Lettsome Primary School. 

The North Sound Fund will be resurfacing the Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary School courtyard and other remedial works. There will also be the installation of a playground at the school as well as at the Bregado Flax Education Centre Primary School.

The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports remains committed to providing high-quality educational services and promoting access to sports and recreation to enrich the lives of the residents of the Virgin Islands.