All schools will reopen tomorrow, September 1, except for five that are undergoing extensive rehabilitation, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
And despite reports of rumours that schools will not reopen until September 8, Minister of Education Shaik Baksh said during a press briefing at his ministry on Friday that preparations were made by teachers to reopen the schools in the various regions on September 1.
However, Stella Maris Nursery and Primary, St George’s Nursery and Secondary, Cummings Lodge Secondary and Houston Community High will open their doors on September 8.
Baksh said those schools could not have been completed within the August vacation period because they needed extensive rehabilitation works. But under supervision by officers of the education ministry contractors are working diligently to complete the schools.
Meanwhile, the ministry has informed the headmistresses/Masters so that they can communicate with parents and students of the five schools.
In addition, Baksh said in all of the regions, schools will be reopened with the exception of Log Wood and Cane Grove Primary schools which will not be opened until September 8. The new Bartica Secondary school will be opened on January 1, 2009, GINA reported.
The minister said despite the completion of the Bartica school, one of the dormitories has not been completed and the roads which lead to the school are in a deplorable state. Money has been budgeted by Cabinet and a contract has since been awarded to complete and rehabilitate the Four Miles, Bartica road.
Baksh noted also that the new Mahaica Secondary School which costs approximately $512 million will be completed in January 2009, following some delay as result of the general shortage of stone in the country.
Meanwhile, the ministry has undertaken 32 contracts for repairs and maintenance works of schools in Georgetown. Under these contracts, schools such as Kingston Nursery, South Ruimveldt Primary, North Georgetown Primary, East Ruimveldt Secondary, and West Ruimveldt Primary have been completed.
During the press briefing Baksh launched Education Month under the theme ‘Education of the Child, the Parent and Teacher Obligation’. Education month begins tomorrow. He said his ministry in collaboration with stakeholders will host a range of activities including a national gardening competition, international literacy day, debating competitions, health fairs, physical displays and teachers’ day.
