The Government has spent in excess of $700 million to facilitate construction works at the Kato Secondary School in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). This was revealed on Friday when the Education Ministry commissioned the building, which has been in construction for several years.
The Ministry informed that the tender process for the project was completed since December 2012, and a contract in excess of $728 million for construction of the building was later signed.
In addition, $55 million was spent to furnish the building, while $37 million was expended to facilitate installation of the photovoltaic system at the school.
Some 295 students, 11 teachers and 30 support staff members will now benefit at the Grade B school, the compound of which features several buildings, including an administrative building; a student dormitory with dining facilities; a teachers’ quarters; the main teaching block; a library; science and information technology labs; a smart classroom, as well as the Home Economics and Industrial Arts departments.
The newly commissioned Kato Secondary School
In attendance at the commissioning were Education Minister Nicolette Henry, Public Telecommunications Minister Catherine Hughes, and Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan.
In delivering the feature address, Minister Henry said she was delighted that the school was finally finished and commissioned. She said that the completion of the structure can only improve the quality of life for that community, since quality education would now be provided in a modern space.
She noted that the event is a testimony to the fact that the Ministry is serious about reducing the disparity that exists between the coastland and the hinterland.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, Adele Clarke, explained that the Ministry, in 2010, recognised the need for an additional secondary school in Sub-Region One, since there was overcrowding at the Paramakatoi Secondary School at the time. According to her, it was this that birthed the idea of having a new school in the North Pakaraimas area.
She pointed out that initially there was a strong debate as to where the new school should be located, and Kato became the preferred option.
Chief Education Officer (CEO) Marcel Hutson told the gathering that the occasion was a significant one, as a state-of-the-art school has been built in the hinterland community to serve the nation’s children.
According to him, education is both a necessity and an investment which everyone should embrace with the seriousness that it deserves.
Moreover, he noted that the era wherein education is acquired or delivered in crowded and stressful classrooms is becoming an issue of the past.
He said the Ministry has taken a firm stand in ensuring that its policy on education as a top priority is fulfilled with the provision of proper infrastructure and sound curricular.
