TWO new schools have been added to the list in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), the regional administrative Office stated in a release.
It said that the keys to the two new primary schools are located at La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme and the Bell West Housing Scheme, were handed over to the regional administration last Wednesday.
Among those at the handing over ceremony were Region Three Vice Chairman Mr. Manpersuad, Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Winston Davidson, Regional Education Officer, Ms Marilyn Jones-“O’ Donahue, Regional Engineer, Mr. Patiram Ramlall, Project Manager, Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), Mr. Michael Singh and representatives of the consultant firm and contactor.
At the event, stated the release, Singh said both schools were funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Government of Guyana. The Ministry of Finance served as the executing Agency while the BNTF implemented both projects.
In accepting the keys, Mr. Manpersaud noted that the establishment of the two new housing schemes has resulted in overcrowding at the nearest schools to the schemes. He opined the situation will now be eased and more so children’s attendance would improve.
The two structures are reinforced concrete and timber single storey buildings with the required features and support facilities. The cost of the La Parfaite Harmonie School is $59.3M and the Belle West School is $49.2M.
Meanwhile Regional Education Officer Ms. Jones – ‘O’ Donahue stated that furnishings the structures would commence and is optimistic that the two schools would be commissioned in time for the new school year beginning September 2010.