Late start for five schools

FIVE schools will not open their doors for the scheduled start of the Michaelmas term.

This was revealed by Minister of Education Ronald Jones, who briefed the media at his Ministry’s headquarters yesterday afternoon.

According to the Minister, the bulk of the schools will be reopened on September 11th, however, two nursery schools, St. Giles and All Saints will open on the 18th.

St. John Primary and St. George Secondary will also be opened on the 18th. However, Wesley Hall Infants will be opened on the 14th with the new students coming on the 13th.

The Minister explained that the delays were caused by extensive infrastructural work on the school plant. “Eight weeks is a short time to do the kind of work but contractors tried to work quite speedily.”

The Education Minister does not foresee any loss of work in the schools since according to him, the first week is generally preparatory.

As it relates to work being carried out near St. Lawrence Primary and the potential impact, he noted the block that has been affected has not been used in a while.

“We have brought it back by providing major work on it to bring it back to use...It would not affect the school in anyway. The block to the west would not affect the functioning of the school in anyway. That is additional space that we have brought back into use in case the school needs it so that wouldn’t affect the start of
school.”

He assured announcements would be made if additional changes are necessary. (JH)