In the next 18 months, parents in the Edinboro community will be sending their children to school in their own neighbourhood, as a primary school will be constructed there at an estimated cost of over $6 million.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, Minister of Education, Girlyn Miguel told persons present that the facility will be geared to accommodate some 650 students by the beginning of the 2008 academic year.##MM:[more]##

“The design of this school is in keeping with the strictest international standards and we will be proud of the facility,” Miguel told members of the community during her address on Tuesday.

Miguel is also calling on the young persons in the community to pay attention to the opportunities that are being provided to them with in the school system, as it is not a cool thing to “drop out” of school.

“Let us use the opportunities provided for us to make us educated and dedicated citizens, through education we can create stronger and more resourceful populations, especially among you the youth, who are our greatest national assets,” Miguel urged the students.

Also addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Education Officer, Luis deShong told the gathering that the new facility is expected to provide a glorious opportunity in the development of the children of the area.

“The Ministry of Education remains firm in its commitment to have parents and the broader community harbour within themselves a profound desire and ability to influence the conduct of all students and to never loose touch with any school,” deShong stated in his address.

He also shared the view that parenting and community involvement is a critical aspect in the overall development of young people, and stressed the point that there is a need for the principals of schools to involve parents more with the view to crafting effective strategies for influencing all students.

The construction of the Edinboro Primary School is funded by the Caribbean Development Bank and is estimated to cost EC $6,335,121.50.

The school will comprise 21 classrooms, a computer laboratory, library, principal’s office, staff room, sick bay, music room, multipurpose room, tuck shop, guidance and counseling room, washroom facilities for all and an open area for pre-school education.

Also addressing the gathering on Tuesday, was the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who gave a brief history of this Country and the development that is taking place in the Country including the education revolution and technology.