Education Minister Tours Three Schools Undergoing Summer Repairs

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NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS – With the new school year fast approaching, the Ministry of Education says repairs are moving ahead at public schools across the country. Officials this week toured several campuses to check on progress and hear directly from principals. Our Chinasa Outten tells us more.

Education officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, toured several of those schools this week to get a first-hand look at what’s been done so far.

The tour began at R.M. Bailey Senior High, where the school has received new AC units, a raised walkway to prevent flooding and a new pavilion that can seat up to 1000 students.

The school is also set to get a new gym thanks to a partnership with the Fox Foundation.

“His passion really is to return to communities and institutions that would have helped to mold him.” – Shavanna Darville, Fox Foundation Rep

At Government High School, the minister confirmed the campus will receive a new swimming pool but said it will not be ready by the start of school this fall, as the focus remains on completing essential repairs like painting, tiling and building upgrades.

“We are making the ompletion of the school repairs as a priority. We have spoken with the contractors working on the decks here in the buildings for this particular school. We endeavor to complete this in short order. We’re going to recalibrate the pools in schools program, and we’ll have more announcements on it in due course.” – Education Minister Chester Cooper

The tour ended at Naomi Blatch Preschool, where principal Casharon Coakley says her main concern is the school’s roof.

But contractors have already assessed the damage and confirmed the project will be wrapped up when kids head back to class.

“Contractors were already on campus, and they were able to assess the areas and explain what they think the problem may be. So I’m looking forward to that being repaired.” – Casharon Coakley

The schools visited were just a handful of those undergoing repairs this summer.

The Education Minister says the government plans to complete repairs at 49 public schools across the country during the 3-month summer break.