The Technical and Vocational Centres located in Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) and Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) are expected to be completed by the opening of the new school year in September.
Minister of Education Shaik Baksh disclosed this during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, on Monday, when he commented on the progress of the two projects.
He noted that while the centre at Leonora, in Region 3, is almost 85 percent completed, the Mahaica Institute is lagging behind due to difficulties encountered during the construction process.
“Leonora should be completed in time for September, but we had special difficulties at Mahaica, now we are about 65-70 percent completed there,” Baksh explained.
According to the minister, he will be visiting the sites sometime this week after which he will be able to pronounce definitively on the progress of the work.
He said, “We are going to visit these centres later this week, and the contractor is working extra shifts to get the work done.”
When contacted yesterday, the project’s contractor, Roy Bassoo of R. Bassoo and Sons Construction Company, pointed out that both facilities are expected to be completed for the next school year, despite the setbacks encountered in Region 5.
He explained that difficulties arose due to unsuitable materials that were available for use on the foundation at Mahaica.
“We had some difficulties with the foundation, and we also had to constantly pump water out of the site,” he explained.
He stated, “Even though Leonora is ahead, we will be on schedule and have both of them ready for September.”
In excess of $875M has been budgeted for this year to facilitate the construction of technical and vocational facilities in Regions 3 and 5.
These projects are being funded by the Government of Guyana with the support of a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank for the enhancement of Technical and Vocational Education and Training Programme, with the Ministry of Education as the executing agency.
Technical and Vocational Education has been placed high on the agenda of the Ministry of Education, a concept which has been continually promoted by Minister Shaik Baksh.
Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, in his presentation of the national budget earlier this year, had revealed that $1.6B was budgeted for technical vocational education, towards the completion of construction works at the two vocational centres.
This sum is also expected to fund the construction of a student dormitory at the Essequibo Technical Institute and the provision of tools, equipment, materials and furniture for institutes countrywide, allowing increasing numbers of students an alternative pathway.