BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - REMINDING that the construction of a brand new Basseterre High School facility is the number one priority of his Ministry, Minister of Education the Hon. Shawn K. Richards is calling for patience from all stakeholders as the Ministry navigates through the many processes that lead to the actual construction of the facility.
Richards recently gave an update of the situation to members of the media during which he provided an outline of the processes and informed that the Ministry is making attempts to expedite one of the fundamental processes.
He said a suitable venue would have to be identified and that process has already begun.
“We have had different suggestions from the different stakeholders. We are looking at those different suggestions. The necessary department in government will also be commissioned to look at possible sites for the brand new Basseterre High School.
“From there on there is a process in which one would have to go through. After identifying the site, you would then have to ensure that the site is either in possession of the Government. If it’s not, then, of course, you would have to speak to the land owners and come to some sort of agreement. You have the drafting stage in terms of designing the new high school. That itself would have to be dome with the different stakeholders, because we do not want to build a school just for today but a school for future generations…”
Minister Richards explained that securing the necessary funding, putting out a bid for tender and determining to whom the contract should be awarded, are some of the processes involved.
“It is not a process we expect to happen overnight (but) we are hoping to achieve it as soon as possible.”
The Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), according to Richards, had recommended a particular company to conduct tests at the current Basseterre High School facility.
He said that company was to have been in St. Kitts at the end of this month. However, it was indicated that it would not be available for that undertaking until May, “which is too far for us. So we are in discussions with PAHO to see if that date can be brought forward”.
Commenting on the current shift system which he noted “is not the most ideal”, Minister Richards said his Ministry has intentions of meeting with the stakeholders of both the Washington Archibald High School and the BHS at the end of this month, with a view to weighing alternatives and possibly implementing those which would better the situation.
