Education calls Vincentians to support Questelles Gov’t School post-fire

Minister of  Education, Vocational Training, Innovation and Digital Transformation Phillip Jackson is asking Vincentians to contribute to the Questelles Government School, which was engulfed in flames days prior to their fundraising event.

The school, which has now been relocated to the Campden Park Community Center for students in grades five and six, was partly destroyed by fire on December 29, 2025.

Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Physical Planning Nigel Stevenson, who spoke with the media the day after the fire said that he lives a few meters away from the school when he saw some smoke emanating from its vicinity.

“…I quickly stopped what I was doing and made my way into the vicinity of the smoke and when I got there, I realised it was part of the Questelles Government School that was on fire, and it really went up very very quickly.”

Stevenson added that there was nothing he could have done about the flames so he filmed the incident live on Facebook to alert the nation of what was taking place.

Minister Jackson told the media that he saw the live and their team went into immediate action in response to the fire, which destroyed one section of the school complex.

He also said that the school houses 329 students and a staff complement of 22 teachers, including the principal and ancillary staff.

“But what was affected here are grades three and four, and there are 54 students in grade three and 44 students in grade four; and six teachers.”

He continued that the Ministry of Education’s response is making sure that there is alternative accommodation for these students and their teachers at a place that is nearest to the school for comfort.

“All departments of government related to the response were engaged. The Ministry of Transport and Works, Minister Stevenson and I were here yesterday evening and we met a cadre of professionals, [including members of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force Fire Brigade, the Electrical Inspectorate Division, as well as the staff and principal of the school] responding in an excellent manner to the disaster.”

Jackson, who said that the response was amazing, thanked everyone and complimented them for their hard work.

“And as you can see, this response is a team effort. I’m very happy to have Minister Stevenson, who is also the member of Parliament for South Leeward here with us.”

He also noted the presence of Chief Education Officer Kay Martin-Jack, Permanent Secretary Myccle Burke and Chief Executive Officer of BRAGSA (Roads, Buildings & General Services Authority) Kem Bartholomew.

“So, as you can see, this is a concerted effort of unity in response to an unfortunate disaster so close to the reopening of school, but we’re on it and the response is great.”

Jackson assured students, parents, and all the stakeholders that his team is responding as fast as they can to have the students resettled and ready for the new term.

“So, thank you and I implore you as citizens for your patience as well as your support, and speaking of support, the kitchen was destroyed also, and the principal and staff were planning a fundraising event on Monday, so all of the stuff [that] were stored here were destroyed.”

The minister appealed to citizens and well wishers of the school to make a contribution as fast as they can so that the school can still host their event on Monday.

“…We have to show resilience in the face of adversity, and this is a great example to make sure that the event still goes on; and I’m happy for the support of my colleague minister and all of the other departments of government in this response.”