A vision by Math and Office Administration teacher Christina Noel, to establish a science lab for the students at the West St George Secondary School, is drawing nearer to completion thanks to a financial contribution of $4,006 from The Mustique Charitable Trust.{{more}}

The donation was made last Wednesday and will go towards science equipment and the furnishing of the lab. Noel, who is setting up the lab as part of her practical course work toward gaining an Undergraduate Bachelors degree in Education at University of the West Indies (UWI) believes that the new facility will ensure that students get a well rounded education.

A teacher for eight years and the Math and Office Administration teacher at the West St George Secondary for one and a half years, Noel pointed out that for the first time, next year, students will be writing Integrated Science at the CXC level. She reinforced that her goal was to ensure that the students get as much practical experience from the laboratory to excel at their examinations.

Administrator of the Mustique Charitable Trust Lavinia Gunn, who handed over the cheque at the school’s morning assembly said that her organization was pleased to make the donation as part of their efforts to educate and empower students. Once an English teacher, Gunn also noted that having a wider range of subjects would ensure that students are better qualified to gain employment and she advised the pupils to make use of the opportunity to learn the sciences.

The Mustique Charitable Trust Administrator also encouraged the students to make wise choices as the Trust had to also ensure that they make prudent decisions in their choices to give donations to the many applicants who were seeking assistance.

Principal Asfo Stephens who expressed gratitude for the contribution, articulated his vision to see the small laboratory becoming the foundation of great experiments. He voiced the school’s aspiration to not only be a pilot, but a pioneer in testing the contamination and Carbon Dioxide levels at the nearby Belair Spa water spring and noted that such an undertaking would not only help the community but the entire country.

Head of the Department of Math and Science, Bernadette Slater said that as the Integrated Science teacher at West St George Secondary for the last five years, it was extremely challenging to work without even a test tube. She however noted that the students have become very creative and were able to execute their work with competence. Slater also pointed out that last year, the 18 students who sat the Human and Social Biology exam at CXC all passed and she believed that the students who will sit the exam at the Integrated Science level next year will also do well. She noted that more funding is needed to complete the lab which is estimated to cost some $30,000.

The Mustique Charitable Trust was established in July 2008 to celebrate 40th anniversary of Mustique Company where home owners of the up-scale market resort have invested their monies to benefit the local people. Managed by a group of trustees, the organization has been guided by the mission of improving the opportunities for children, young people and vulnerable adults while supporting the development of sustainable local communities throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines.