NASSAU, The Bahamas – Forty-nine schools in New Providence and 97 Family Island schools are set to receive repairs at approximately $12 million and $4.85 million respectively as part of the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) summer school repair program.

The schools comprise primary and high schools in New Providence and primary, high and all-age schools in the Family Islands. Eleven libraries in New Providence are also included in the repairs.

In his Contribution to the ongoing 2020-2021 Budget Debate Tuesday, June 16, 2020 the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education, assured Parliamentarians that schools will be ready for the upcoming school year. 

“The safety of our students is undoubtedly of paramount importance,” said Minister Lloyd. “We understand the significance of providing a physical environment conducive to educational growth.”

The MOE has embarked on several ongoing capital works projects in which a number of schools are being renovated.

Minister Lloyd said work is currently underway on the following schools and completion is projected between January and September 2021:

• Holmes Rock Junior High School
• Lowe Sound Primary School
• Staniel Cay All-Age School
• Eva Hilton Primary Sporting Complex

He announced that recent expansions were completed at the following schools:

• C.H. Reeves Junior High
• North Eleuthera High
• Claridge Primary
• Eva Hilton Primary
• A.F. Adderley Junior High School
• North Andros High
• Adelaide Primary Preschool

Among the expansions were new classrooms, art rooms, computer, and science labs.

In June of 2019 four additional preschool classrooms were constructed at the Thelma Gibson Primary School.

Minister Lloyd said in the summer of last year “critical” repairs were carried out and completed at nine public schools in New Providence with the exception of C.R. Walker Senior High School, where repairs are currently being done.

Moreover, Minister Lloyd noted that repairs and rebuilding of school structures in Abaco and Grand Bahama are ongoing.

“As we all know, Hurricane Dorian, at the start of this academic year, ravaged many of our school structures on the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco, leaving them in a state of disrepair. But as we stated during the initial stages of the horror, our spirit of resilience would propel us to conquer the odds, restore, and preserve quality education,” said Minister Lloyd.