Nassau, The Bahamas – Repairs to government schools are underway and expected to be completed before the start of the September school term. Approximately $4.5 million will be spent on the repairs. This amount is about $1 million more than $3.5 million that was allocated in the Government’s 2012/2013 Budget. “Prior to the closing out of the old budget on June 30, 2012, I invited the senior management at the Ministry of Education to go line by line through the budget to find any funds that the Ministry had not used,” said Education, Science and Technology Minister the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald.
MOE officials Education, Science and Technology Minister the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald (centre) talks about repairs to government schools. Also pictured from left: Coleman Andrews; Donella Bodie, Permanent Secretary; Lionel Sands, Director; and Danny Robinson. (Photo/ Communications Unit MOE)
“This process yielded about $1.3 million which we were able to allocate and draw down before June 30th, 2012. The extra $1.3 million will go a long way in addressing some much needed repairs, particularly in those family islands which are still suffering the effects of hurricane Irene last September.” The breakdown is as follows: New Providence $3,200. 000 Grand Bahama $600,000 Family Islands $650,000 Minister Fitzgerald provided an update on the progress of school repairs throughout the country at a press briefing at the Ministry of Education on July 15.
Within the past four weeks Minister Fitzgerald has inspected schools in New Providence, all schools in Grand Bahama and Eleuthera and Abaco. Before the end of summer it is his intention to have visited 95 percent of the 164 schools in the public school system. “The visits have given me not only a firsthand view of the state of the physical plant but also an opportunity to meet with administrators and hear their concerns and hope for education in our country,” he said. “In the Family Islands I found the schools to be in pretty good condition, apart from those hit by Hurricane Irene, particularly in Gregory Town, Eleuthera where I saw most of the damage. On the whole I was satisfied that schools were in pretty good condition. He reminded administrators that school properties are expected to be maintained and the Government’s policy initiatives implemented.
