Report card: Education ministry details school repairs

Major refurbishment works at several primary schools are progressing steadily following the early closure of classes last month, with some projects already nearing completion, the Ministry of Education Transformation has revealed. 

But work at Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary School is now expected to extend into 2027.

The latest update shows significant progress across a number of campuses as the government continues its islandwide school improvement programme aimed at creating safer, more modern learning environments for students and teachers.

At Grantley Prescod Primary School, painting is approximately 85 per cent complete, while the replacement of ceilings has reached about 70 per cent, bringing the school closer to the completion of its scheduled upgrades.

Work is also advancing at Wesley Hall Primary School, where the project has reached approximately 80 per cent completion. The upgrades include the installation of internal classroom partitions in the single-storey building, replacement of the roof and ceilings on the two-storey block, and construction of new external stairways to improve accessibility and safety.

At St. George Primary School, exterior painting continues while contractors replace roof sheeting. Overall, refurbishment at the school is about 70 per cent complete.

Work at Blackman and Gollop Primary School has reached approximately 40 per cent completion, with painting and repairs to one classroom currently underway. Repairs to the prefabricated classroom building at St James Primary School have also reached about 40 per cent completion.

The projects form part of the wider education transformation agenda to modernise infrastructure and provide schools with safe, resilient and fit-for-purpose learning environments, the ministry said.

But officials revealed that Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary School will require additional time after contractors encountered challenges during foundation works needed to support new reinforced concrete structures.

In a statement, Director of the Education Technical Management Unit (ETMU) Wayne Baker  said the revised schedule followed consultations with contractors responsible for the project.

“The contractors with oversight for the essential foundation work have identified what needs to be done to meet the challenge they have encountered and have provided a revised timeline for its safe completion,” Baker said.

Once the foundation work is completed, construction will begin on several major upgrades, including new staff rooms, bathrooms, upgraded nutrition rooms, a dedicated information technology laboratory and an expanded physical education department, he said. 

“As a result, the revised timeline for completion is 2027.”

The update comes just weeks after the ministry announced that 13 schools would close about a month before the end of the school term to allow contractors to begin infrastructure works ahead of the long vacation. 

The ministry said it was still satisfied with the pace and quality of the work being undertaken across the island and commended contractors, project managers, school administrations and other stakeholders involved in the programme.

It also pledged to continue providing regular updates as projects progress, describing the refurbishment initiative as a key part of the government’s vision to deliver modern, sustainable and future-ready learning environments for every child.

What to Know: School repairs progress report

School Progress

Grantley Prescod 85 per cent

Wesley Hall 80 per cent

St George 70 per cent

Blackman & Gollop 40 per cent

St James 40 per cent

Wilkie Cumberbatch 2027

(SM)