Minister On School Buildings Readiness Projects
[Updated with video] Minister of Education Wayne Scott and Minister of Public Works Craig Cannonier today held a joint press conference at Victor Scott Primary and the new pre-school to discuss summer maintenance projects and school facility readiness.
Minister Scott said, “I am here today to provide an update on the readiness of our school buildings as the 2015/16 academic year will officially start for all students on Tuesday, September 8th 2015.
“During the summer months, technical officers in both the Ministries of Education and Public Works work together and undertake a series of maintenance and capital projects to improve our school facilities in preparation for the start of school each September.
“The purpose of the annual programme is to carry out repairs that will ensure a safe and healthy environment for our students, principals, teaching, and administrative staff.
“This summer the Facility Management Team in the Department of Education will complete a total of 38 school maintenance projects to improve our school buildings.
“Following a successful bidding process, work contracts were awarded to a number of local contractors to execute on the repair and maintenance projects slated for the summer.
“The Victor Scott Primary School was one of the major school improvement projects that is now in the final phase of completion. The lower restrooms were renovated for our children, an electrical service upgrade was implemented at the school and the lower level hallway was furnished with new tiling.
“You may recall that at a press conference in April 2015, I informed the public that the St. John’s Preschool will move to the Victor Scott School property.
“The move has been completed and I want to commend the team at the Department of Education, the Principal of Victor Scott Primary School, the Administrator of the re-named Victor Scott Preschool, led by our Facilities Manager, Mr. Cleun Gaiton, for their joint efforts in successfully relocating the former St Johns Pre School into a newly refurbished west wing of the Victor Scott Primary School.
‘Other significant repair and maintenance projects undertaken to improve our school buildings included:
- The renovation of restrooms at the Somerset Primary School, the Harrington Sound Primary School, and the West End Primary School;
- The purchase of a new shade structure for the lunch bench area at Purvis Primary School;
- The purchase of a new school playground for Dalton E Tucker Primary School. The new playground will be installed during the school year;
- At East End Primary School we ensured that a new fire alarm system was installed;
- Tent Fumigation was undertaken for the Prospect Primary School;
- Art room floors were all resurfaced at Victor Scott Primary and St. David’s Primary;
- A safety fencing enclosure was installed at Somerset Primary School and a new stage was fabricated for the Somerset Primary School assembly hall. In addition, St David’s Pre School will have a safety fence enclosure completed during the school year.
“These are just some of the many repair and maintenance projects undertaken this summer by our Facilities Section in the Department of Education. Additional maintenance tasks that were scheduled included: pest control assessments, fire alarm testing, water tank chlorination and water fountain maintenance and cleaning,” Minister Scott continued.
“During the remainder of the month of August, our school custodians will be working diligently to complete the preparation of the inside of our school buildings as we approach the start of the new school year.
“Once again I would like to thank Mr. Cleun Gaiton, the Department’s Facilities Manager and his team for their continued commitment and concerted efforts during the past months to ensure that the repair and maintenance projects were carried out so that our school buildings are ready for teaching and learning.
“Finally, I would like to thank the Ministry of Public Works team for collaborating with the Ministry of Education team plus the independent contractors for a job well done,” concluded Minister Scott.
Really
I think Ministers shouldn’t be in the limelight because they don’t have a clue about REAL work, the Blue Collar workers should be getting the praise, and this is no great accomplishment, school work is ALWAYS done around this time of the year, they just got around to pay attention to Back of Town, PLEASE.
I think after them many issues over the years, people are happy to read how things are progressing.
OJ….he did thank all the workers.
“Finally, I would like to thank the Ministry of Public Works team for collaborating with the Ministry of Education team plus the independent contractors for a job well done,” concluded Minister Scott.”
Looking at the photo I only see one person that looks like he’s been working, everybody else looks too clean.
Just saying.
Wayne Scott….please!
Craig Cannonier….pretty please!
Both of these guys are disappointments. Wayne Scott has always been dodgy and we just don’t know what happened to Craig.
Great work everyone. While W & E are erecting fencing at the pre-school, I suggest erecting new fencing along the road coming down towards the School’s main gate, please.
King Saul and Judas!