Sod turned for $170M new One Mile Primary school
The way is paved for the re-construction of the One Mile Primary School, as $170M has been allocated for rebuilding the structure that was destroyed as a result of arson in July 2012, following the week-long protest in Linden over increased electricity tariff.
Over 800 students and teachers were displaced by the destruction of the school, and had to be housed at separate locations, the Wismar Hill Primary and the Block 22 Multi-Purpose Hall.
The gathering at the ceremony to launch the rebuilding
of the One Mile Primary school, Linden
The new building will include 29 classrooms, capable of housing 1000 students, sick bay, facilities for disabled, Information Communication Laboratory, administrative office and sanitary block among others.
Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, who launched the rebuilding project in Linden on Wednesday, said contractors must be held accountable for ensuring value for money. “We want to partner with you to make sure this goes the way it is supposed to go. $170M is supposed to give your children in this community a state-of- the-art primary school where no repairs and so on except for the maintenance of the school would have to be effected within short periods.”
“We believe in empowering each person to be the watch guard of what is happening in the development of your community,” Minister Manickchand stated.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand delivering remarks
at the ceremony to launch the One Mile Primary school
rebuilding. Also in photo are (from left), Chief Education
Officer Olato Sam, Region Ten Chairman Sharma Solomon,
Minister in the Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill and Regional
Education Officer Marcia Paddy
Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill noted that the destruction of the school by arsonists was a dark day for Guyana. “ We have a responsibility to protect the asset this time, and ensure that what happened at One Mile never happens again in Linden or any part of the country because that is something that would be taking us backwards.”
Meanwhile Region Ten Chairman, Sharma Solomon commended the government for delivering on its promise. “I’m grateful for that position adopted by the government, to ensure that all the pupils of the One Mile School can be housed at one time, under one unique structure,” Solomon said.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand turning the sod
for the reconstruction of the One Mile Primary school,
Linden. Also in photo is Minister in the Ministry of
Finance Juan Edghill
He said the primary school’s academic performance ranked it as second in the region, and that the pupils remained steadfast, in face of the challenge.
The contract for the construction of the One Mile Primary School was signed on December 31 with P.D Contracting Services. The project has a completion date of February 2015.
