BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - CONSTRUCTION is expected to begin on two new buildings on the Eastern Campus of the Basseterre High School (BHS) sometime this week.
The new annexes, as explained by Education Minister Hon. Nigel Carty in an interview today (Feb. 12), would house the students, principal and teachers who previously occupied the now defunct Western Campus.
The Western Campus was declared unusable earlier this year when it was discovered that the real problem behind the “BHS contamination issue” was due to unmaintained septic systems and deteriorated plumbing.
These new annexes, Carty explained, were originally supposed to be a temporary fixture but that plan was scrapped and, instead, two permanent buildings would be erected.
Carty explained that the reason for this shift in plan derived from the realisation that the estimated cost for the temporary buildings were over $400 000.
According to the Education Minister, one building would boast six full-sized classrooms complete with veranda, Galvalume roof, wood panelled walls and electricity, while the other would be used as an office for the principal and staff.
Construction is expected to take only a few weeks with the painting being put off until the Easter break to allow the teachers and students to occupy the building as soon as possible.
Carty said that after the refurbishment of the Western Campus, the annexes could be used for a number of things, including house SELF books, library, or art rooms.
Meanwhile, classes at BHS continue on a shift system, with First and Second Form students attending school from 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon and the remainder from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
On the other hand, work is currently being done on the Chemistry and Physics laboratory as well as the boys’ bathroom.
Minister Carty explained that those areas, among others, would be fully renovated and refurbished following the dismantling process.
He explained that an engineering consultant went to the school, observed the entire structure of the Western Campus and made an assessment as to what could be done to ensure it is clean and safe for use.
The report, he said, is due on Friday (Feb. 15).
The Western Campus was officially closed following a series of events after teachers and students expressed concerns over abandoned laboratories being the cause of itching and burning skin, dizziness, nausea, and respiratory problems, among other issues.
Scientists conducted tests at the school which ruled out above normal levels of radioactivity, a number of gases, and respiratory particulates.
At the beginning of the new school term, the Ministry of Education organised a professional cleanup for the Campus, causing school to be delayed for Forms one through Four, while Fifth Form students had their sessions held at the Old Boys and Girls Schools.
It was during this cleanup that the real cause of the Campus' problem was discovered - unmaintained septic systems with deteriorated plumbing.
