Kingstown Government School set to re-open

The refurbishment of a local primary school that had one of its buildings damaged by fire, three weeks ago, is on schedule to be completed by the start of the new academic year, on Monday.{{more}}

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves inspected the Kingstown Government School, which is located at Stoney Ground, making sure that it was fit for the return of its students.

The Prime Minister said that when officials from the Ministry of Education reported to him on the matter, they suggested that a shift system be put in place until the school could be repaired.

“They said we might have to think about doing a shift system, but I said we ain’t doing no shift system. We can build it back!” said Gonsalves.

He explained that as speed was of the utmost importance, it was imperative that he got the ball rolling quickly.

“We moved very swiftly with all the administration procedures,” said Gonsalves. “We are going to be ready for school on Monday!”

In addition to repairing what the blaze destroyed, the school’s toilets will be refurbished, the older part of the building will be cleaned with a power wash, and the grounds will be tidied up. Additionally, an external staircase, was built to access the second floor of that wing. Previously there was only one internal staircase.

“All this comes up to about $287,000,” said Gonsalves – adding that his only concern at this stage is whether the furniture will be ready on time.

The Kingstown Government School was ravaged by fire on Thursday, August 9, which destroyed the upper floor of the school’s two-storey wing – leaving only the concrete walls and part of the roof intact.(JV)