THE construction of the new North West Secondary School in Region One is moving apace, as significant progress has been seen since work began just over a year ago.

Photographs posted by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, over the weekend, while he was in the region, show an almost complete structure.

Earlier this year, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, stated the contractors were expected to finish work on the project soon. She had noted that the revised completion date for the project is June 2024.

A $346.2 million contract was in January of 2023 signed for the reconstruction of the school by Aruca Investments with a 14-month timeline for completion. The reconstruction of the school came after the original structure was destroyed by fire in September 2021.

The reconstructed school is expected to be a two-story building with 23 classrooms, three science labs, a sanitary block and an accessible lift. The school serves as a critical component in the ministry’s efforts to attain universal secondary education.

Since the school was destroyed by fire, the Education Ministry has provided support and made alternative arrangements to facilitate the students who were displaced.