St. Martin’s gets new wing

The EC $1.254 million price tag put on the new wing of the St. Martin’s Secondary School is being considered one of the most expensive projects undertaken by the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

The extension, part of the BNTF’s poverty alleviation and reduction project, was the second of two projects handed over by the Ministry of Rural Transformation to the Ministry of Education last week, the first being the science laboratory and washroom at the St. Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua on Monday, January 5.

At the handing over ceremony at the school at Kingstown Park on Wednesday, January 7, Education Minister Girlyn Miguel, Selmon Walters, Minister of Rural Transformation and area representative Conrad Sayers joined with BNTF Chairman Nathaniel Williams, Consultant Engineer Carlyle Glean and Principal Father Richard Paynter to urge the students of the institution to treat the new facility, as well as the rest of the property, as they would their own, in order to ensure sustainability.

The three-storey extension adds to the school: two more classrooms, new offices for the Principal, Deputy Principal, Dean and Secretary, as well as a new Staffroom, a cluster of bathrooms and students toilets, a copy room, two storerooms, a new Tuck shop/Kitchen with a covered eating area and a prayer room.

Officials revealed that close to 45 per cent of the BNTF’s grant has been allocated to the development of educational facilities and training.(JJ)