Sod turned for new $421M block at St Joseph’s High School

– to accommodate 250 students, labs, Clothing & Textile dept

The sod for a new $421 million block at St Joseph’s High School in Georgetown was turned on Wednesday by Education Minister Sonia Parag, alongside First Lady Arya Ali, a former student of the institution, and other Government officials, marking the official commencement of the project.
Funded with support from the World Bank, the facility will feature 10 new classrooms that can accommodate over 250 students. It will also include a physics and biology lab, an AutoCAD room, an allied arts room, a clothing and textile home management classroom, a sick bay, a counselling room, and a staff room.

Speaking during the ceremony, Minister Parag noted that this investment represents more than just a new building but speaks to the Government’s commitment to improving access to education.
“We oftentimes take pictures, and we place them of turning the sod, meaning that we go out there with a shovel and, in this case, with maybe some long boots and so on, and we will lift the soil. But it has so much more of a deeper meaning than simply doing that.
It says to me that this is a school that has grown from strength to strength and that now houses more than 500 students. If we are going to give you access, it is not only building a school to give you access, but it’s also extending existing schools so that we do not place you in a position where you are overcrowded and cannot thrive in that environment. Access doesn’t just mean a space; access also means that you can have an environment in which you are comfortable,” the minister added.
In addition, First Lady Arya Ali, who delivered the featured remarks, noted that this new facility is an investment in the next generation of leaders, innovators, and nation builders.
“This investment exemplifies our dedication to strengthening the education sector and ensuring that every child has access to quality learning environments that foster excellence and inspire achievement. This new annexe, set to accommodate an additional 250 students, prioritises investment in the minds, talents, and aspirations of our nation’s greatest resource: our children.”
Mrs Ali also highlighted that the new block has been designed to be accessible to persons with disabilities.
“As an advocate for fostering inclusive and accessible environments through the inclusivity initiative of my office, I am equally proud that this new facility has been designed to be fully ADA compliant, ensuring that students and staff with disabilities can navigate and access the space with dignity, independence, and ease. Through wheelchair-accessible infrastructure and thoughtful inclusion design features, this new annex will ensure that every student, regardless of ability, feels supported, valued, and empowered to reach their fullest potential.”
The project is expected to be completed in 10 months and will be undertaken by Khemraj Nauth Incorporated.