THE construction of the Christianburg Primary School in Linden, is expected to commence in a matter of weeks, as the contract for the project was signed on Friday last.
The simple signing was done at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in the presence of Regional Executive Officer, Orrin Gordon, and other regional officials.

The contractor is Sand K Construction and Consultancy Firm. The school will be built to the tune of $119M and duration of construction is expected to be 18 months.

REO Gordon said that he is pleased this project is underway as it was a call from residents of the community, particularly parents who had to bear the burden of sending their children to the St Aiden’s Primary, where they were temporarily accommodated. This too posed problems Gordon said, since the students were seen as imposers and experienced various forms of challenges. “We are happy that it is now up and running and we are hoping it is built with the same speed as the Bamia School in Amelia’s Ward is being built.” Gordon said.

The new school will accommodate approximately 200 pupils and will be a one-storey building. It is being constructed at the same location where the former school, which was recently demolished, was located, on Public Road, Christianburg.

The school was closed for some time after its structure was deemed to be sinking. Earlier in the year, upon visiting the school, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, said that the institution needed to be evaluated. He promised to have a structural engineer examine the building, to determine whether it can be repaired, or needs to be completely rebuilt.

An evaluation was done and it was advised that the school be demolished and a new building be rebuilt at the present site. The Parent Teacher Association has expressed gratitude to the government for answering their call for a new school. Despite the challenges, the students excelled at the National Grade Six Assessment, with one student, securing a space in the region’s top 10.