More than $6 million earmarked for repairs to schools

The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) plans to spend over $6 million on the 2023 school repair programme this summer.

Word of this has come from Deputy Prime Minister Montgomery Daniel this week who was speaking on NBC radio on Wednesday, July 5.

Speaking in his capacity as acting Prime Minister, Daniel gave the actual sum to be spent as $6.4 million.

The Minister of Works was the guest on Wednesday’s Face to Face programme in the absence of Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves who was at the time in Trinidad attending the CARICOM Summit which marked the 50th anniversary of the regional grouping.

Daniel said that his ministry has received a preliminary report of works to be done on some schools this summer.

He said this preliminary report has identified 90 schools which need to have repairs done.

The minister said he is expecting the final report on this matter soon, so that the necessary repairs can commence.

“School is now on holidays, and so we want to get the work going.”

Apart from repair works, there are some schools where water tanks have to be installed to increase the water storage capacity.

Other works to be carried out on the 90 educational institutions include painting, and changes to lighting fixtures.

Minister Daniel was expected to brief Cabinet on this matter on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, repair works continue on the Girls’ High School and the St Vincent Grammar School in Kingstown.

Daniel said that at the GHS, a termite infested wooden structure has to be rebuilt with concrete, as part of repairs to that school.

He said the sentimental value of the old structure to former GHS students created some anxieties for the way forward.

While repairs are continuing at these schools, the students have been temporarily relocated to Arnos Vale.