by Virgil Leonty
The Government of Saint Lucia has announced that twenty-two schools damaged during Tropical Storm Bret will be renovated in time for the new school year beginning Sep. 4, 2023.
Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre made the announcement during a Parliament sitting on Tuesday, Aug. 8. He was seeking approval for a transfer from the Consolidated Fund to the Contingency Fund, as mandated by the Public Management Finance Act.
Some of the worst affected schools are in the south of the island, where the storm had the greatest impact.
These included the Mon Gouge Primary, the Dennery Primary and the Vieux Fort Primary. Other schools down for repairs are the Fond St. Jacques Primary, Anse Ger Combined, Ti Rocher Primary, Soufriere Special Ed, Soufriere Secondary, Mongouge Primary, Choiseul Secondary, Vieux Fort Primary, Belle Vue Combined, Anse Ger Primary, Blanchard Combined, and Vieux Fort Post-Secondary.
While not as severely affected as the southern structures, schools located in the north were also not spared the June 22 storm with sustained wind speeds of more than 60 miles per hour. Some of these include Des Barras Combined, Ave Maria Primary, Gros Islet daycare, Vide Bouteille Combined, Gordon and Walcott Primary, Bexon Primary, Soufriere Infant and Soufriere Secondary.
Minister for Education, Sustainable Development Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training Hon. Shawn Edward has assured the public of the timely re-opening of school.
“We are moving with urgency to ensure that schools are ready in time for the beginning of the school year in September,” he said, adding: “The repairs that we will be undertaking will not merely replace what was damaged. We will build back stronger.”
SOURCE: Government Information Service. Headline photo: Stock image.
Yeah, that’s a govt that cares. No other govt would seek to repair damaged schools after a storm. Best PM ever, He is actually mandating money for school repairs.
Prime Minister how many more days left for school to opened,so talking rubbish like you care, call that planed snap election before the planed date December
Let us hope Mr Edwards lives up to his hyped up words … these politicians can talk a lot of b.s. yes? My mind tells me, that in such a short space of time, A LOT of manpower and materials are needed to accomplish such a “Herculean” feat to repair so many schools. Let’s hope the b.s. does not walk. Repairing damaged buildings is no walk in the park – it takes essential planning and time.
In the meantime, IT IS good to know that this administration has acquired funds for this essential service, but my concerns are: efficient manpower, efficient building materials and most important, efficient TIME. Can all this be accomplished in TWO WEEKS? I don’t think so – reality is key when talking b.s.
Better late than never. Let’s be appreciative, thankful and supportive. This will help create employment in the respective districts which will positively impact livelihood.
@ El Black Lab Rat everything or anything bothers you when the Little Black Boy from Marchand demonstrate good governance. Frankly it’s quite pleasing to know his productive efforts eats away at your bitter soul daily. School maintenance since you you are not aware takes place year round, major construction are usually done over the summer (budget pending) , but general upkeep can be done after hours or on the weekends and not all schools needs a major repairs.
Brilliantly done by the world’s smartest PM that leading this Banana Republic. With less than 14 days to go before the school reopen… I like how they are exposing our intelligent on world stage perhaps its why our IQ rating is advancing so low at such rapid rate. Yeh mun is smart we smart so…SALOP!