Former govt wasted money constructing poor schools- Min. Harmon

DPI, GUYANA, Thursday, May 24, 2018

Minister of State Joseph Harmon said that the former PPP administration wasted good money on the poor construction and rehabilitation of public schools.

The situation is one that the current government is working to address, but Minister Harmon said things could have been better if they were done right from the inception.

Speaking at his weekly post-cabinet press briefing earlier today, the Minister noted there are several schools, that were constructed by the previous administration, that are now dysfunctional.

It was discovered that contractors were being awarded very “low contracts” and were, in turn, providing substandard work.

He explained the government is spending quite a large amount of money on schools, “This is to ensure that our children are not just housed in buildings, but in an environment, which is conducive to learning. Where our girl children can go to a washroom facility and be comfortable there, and boy children can go to the washroom facility and be comfortable going there.”

He added much more needs to be done. According to Minister Harmon, the Ministry of Education has commenced an “inspectorate of schools” which has seen officials visiting schools to check on their progress.

Regarding the Kato Primary School, the minister said while most of the work has been completed it is yet to be connected to solar power, “Everything will be completed by July, this year.”

Minister Harmon also announced the rehabilitation of several schools. $28 million has been earmarked for the construction of the Schoonard Primary School on the West Coast of Demerara while Vryheid’s North’s Nursery School on the East Coast of Demerara will be constructed at a cost $21 Million. The Strathspey Nursery School will also be constructed at a cost of some $2o Million. Kamarang in Region Seven will also have a new $28.9 Million primary school.

 

By: Alexis Rodney.