Two dormitories costing $75M commissioned at Leonora Secondary

Students from far-flung communities in Region Three will no longer have to travel back and forth to school, as two dormitories have been commissioned at the Leonora Secondary School. 

The male and female dormitories costing $75 million are currently housing 23 students.

Two dorm parents are present at the facilities that are equipped with fire prevention tools along with other amenities.

During the commissioning on Monday, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand highlighted the importance of dormitories, as they help students to be comfortably accommodated.

“Children, who before today, could not get a secondary education, or had to go to Bartica, Aurora, or Anna Regina can now come here… which is easier for them and their parents. A lot of parents were reluctant to send their children so far away”, she pointed out.

Beneficiaries of the dorms at Leonora include students from Saxacalli, Aliki, Caria Caria, Lanaballi, Upper and Lower Bonasika, Santa Mission, Sand Hills and Hogg Island.

Minister Manickchand explained that dormitories are available at the secondary schools at Port Kaituma, Mabaruma, Santa Rosa and Wakapoa in Region One; Waramadong, Bartica and Three Miles Secondary schools in Region Seven, and at Kato and Mahdia Secondary schools in Region Eight.

Dorms are also available at St Ignatius, Annai, Aishalton, and Sand Creek in Region Nine and at Kwakwani Secondary School in Region Ten.

The education minister further explained, “So, if you don’t have a school, you cannot get an education. The children who live in these villages, are equal to mine. They are equal to your children who live out here on the coast. They have the same ability, potential, qualities and capacity for learning. And so, we have to give them space and a place to sit down and learn…The communities have too small numbers to be able to put down secondary schools. So, we have had to put down dorms.”

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman, Sheik Ayube highlighted that the dorms were strategically built at Leonora, as it is easily accessible to parents.

It is also close to a hospital, fire station, and police station.