Roof repairs, mould remediation and electrical upgrades are among the infrastructure works ongoing at schools across the territory as students prepare to return to class next month, according to Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sharie de Castro.

“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,” Ms. de Castro said in a press release issued Friday by Government Information Services.

During a recent tour, she added, it was evident that school infrastructure has long suffered from maintenance issues.

EYAS Ministry acting Deputy Secretary Claude Kettle said the ministry is currently focusing on addressing critical maintenance needs such as water tightness, mould remediation, and electrical and plumbing works.

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

Ongoing works

Other works are also ongoing, government stated:

  • • the “water tighting” of the Alexandrina Maduro Primary School, which was contracted to Garner Abraham Construction through the government’s procurement process;
    • remedial works, upgrades and painting at the Leonora Delville Primary School by the ministry’s maintenance team; and
    • restroom upgrades; the replacement of doors and windows; and other remedial works at the Joyce Samuel Primary School through a contract issued to ABSTR Construction.

The press release didn’t disclose the amount of the contracts.

Scheduled works

Other works are slated to start soon. At the Willard Wheatley Primary School, work scheduled to be carried out before the fall term include roof repairs; electrical works; the upgrade of restrooms; and other remedial works, the release stated.

Mr. Kettle added that the ministry is awaiting bids for a 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 said.

Private-sector funds

In addition to government spending on school rehabilitation and maintenance, other work is being funded by private-sector contributions from donors including Unite BVI, which has donated towards the installation of a playground and basketball court at the Francis Lettsome Primary School, according to government.

Meanwhile, on Virgin Gorda, the North Sound Fund will resurface the Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary School courtyard and support other remedial works.

Additionally, a playground will be installed at that school and at the Bregado Flax Educational Centre Primary Division, the press release stated.

Funding from SAP

School rehabilitation works recently got a boost from $630,000 allocated via a Schedule of Additional Provisions that the House of Assembly passed July 13.

“I have personally visited every single school in the territory,” Ms. de Castro said during the debate on the SAP. “It is evident and clear that our schools need significant rehabilitative works. The majority of our schools are decades old, and due attention must be placed to ensure the safety of students and teachers across the territory.”

The SAP supports budget increases for education already in the original 2023 budget, which allocated $4.1 million for the development of Jost Van Dyke Primary School and Multi-purpose Education Facility and $1.6 million for rebuilding the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre, among other projects.

Limited time

Ms. de Castro said last month that she had hoped to make use of more of the summer break for rehabilitative works if the SAP had come through sooner, but officials were planning to make the most of the time they have left before school resumes.

After that, she said, crews will have to make the most of weekends and other scheduled breaks.