Works begin at 13 primary schools ahead of September return

Infrastructural work has begun at 13 primary schools following their closure last week for an extensive summer refurbishment programme, the Ministry of Education Transformation has announced.

The initiative is intended to ensure that when students and staff return in September, “they are coming back into improved infrastructural conditions and schools that are fit for purpose”, the ministry said Monday.

Wayne Baker, Director of the Education Technical Management Unit, outlined the scope of works at several schools undergoing repair. At Grantley Prescod Primary School in St Barnabas, obsolete “TenTest” fibreboard ceilings used in the 1954 construction of the hall, classrooms and corridors are being replaced with PVC board ceilings.

Ceilings made of mid-20th-century “TenTest” fibreboard at Grantley Prescod Primary are being changed.

At Deacons Primary School, efforts are focused on replacing louvred windows in the eastern block, where rain had been seeping through.

Director of the Education Technical Management Unit, Wayne Baker, looks at the louvres at Deacons Primary.

Beyond these targeted interventions, a broader upgrade programme is being rolled out across all 13 schools.

“Generally at these schools we will be looking to change out the roof sheeting from the regular permaclad sheets to white-coated sheets,” Baker explained. “These sheets will help to reduce the heat in the classrooms, thereby creating more comfortable environments for the students and staff.”

In addition to roofing and structural repairs, all 13 schools are set to have their external walls, rails and doors repainted to improve their overall appearance.

Work ongoing on the railings at one of the primary schools.

The other primary schools included in the programme are Blackman and Gollop, A. Dacosta Edwards, All Saints, Roland Edwards, St James, St Stephen’s, Hilda Skeene, Bayley’s, Christ Church Girls’, Hillaby Turners Hall, and St George.

(JB)