(Eleuthera, Bahamas) – One year and five months after the March 25th, 2013 act of arson which destroyed a block of rooms at the North Eleuthera High School in Lower Bogue, Minister of Education, Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald (right in photo) on Thursday August 29th, 2014 with the assistance of Principal Michael Culmer (left in photo) unveiled plans for a $1.2 million two storey building of 3 new classrooms, a library, a computer lab, administration offices, teacher’s lounge, restrooms, Science lab, and kitchen to be constructed at the school. The minister was on island for a tour of public schools, a few days before classes are scheduled to start.
The announcement hit a snag initially when it was pointed out that the new buildings were not to be built on the spot of the burnt out building but on a spot where two classrooms currently exist that would have to be demolished – at a school already strained for space. Teachers and parents however discussed the issue and determined that a solution would be found that would allow the announced construction to go ahead at the soonest rather than delaying to the summer break of 2015. According to Minister Fitzgerald the plans would be ready to go out to tender within two to three weeks, with construction to begin shortly after.
Minister Fitzgerald commented, “We are committed to it. I am committed to building it. Now I need to work with you all to find out timing and what works best for the children, the community and the school. So that is where we are at.”
The block which was gutted by the flames housed the Physical Education room, the Geography and Social Sciences room as well as the school’s Library, which also held a number of computers, printers and a brand new Promethean Board that had at that time been recently received from the Ministry of Education.
No one has been charged in relation to this act of arson at the school, though not very far away, an employee of the North Eleuthera Administrators Office, was recently charged with attempted arson at the temporary Administration building in Upper Bogue. She’s currently out on bail.
March 2013 photo of the North Eleuthera High School block of classes on fire.
