BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH just about one month remaining in the school year, the Sandy Point High School has seen major changes resulting from Undergraduate projects from some of its senior teachers.
Head of the Home Economics Department Muriel Powell and Remedial teacher Franzine Caesar, with the assistance of students, teachers and various businesses, identified areas within the institution that were in dire need of revamping, and within a matter of weeks both selected areas underwent significant improvements. Projects were done as part of their practicum for an undergraduate degree in Education Administration at the University of the West Indies (UWI).
Powell, a trained teacher of over 30 years, told SKNVibes that before the project, the room was an open space with old scattered furniture not offering much functional purpose for students to benefit. She added that students were usually at a disadvantage when asked practical questions in exams, but noted that the recent transformation is expected to provide an opportunity for students to benefit from hands-on training.
“It was a great disadvantage to students; we had to borrow furniture and do a temporary set for their exams since we did not have the appropriate resources. The building is expected to house a living room, dining area, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom and laundry facilities in order to allow students full practical exposure to the subject,” Powell said.
Today, teachers and students have entered the room amazed with the transformation as it now has a classroom space, living and dining areas and bathroom facilities.
Powell acknowledged the parents, Admiral (2008) Ltd. and the school’s Wood Work Department for donating pieces of furniture to the project, and for the students’ efforts in raising funds. She said students would now be more prepared for exams and would also be at an advantage as they would gain hands-on experience and prepare for work in the hospitality industry.
“It’s not like once ago when only a small number of students did Home Economics. Now, with our economy shifting to a service-based one, it is critical for us to have the necessary resources to equip our students to perform with excellence in the hospitality industry. We now have Food and Nutrition, Home Management and Clothing and Textile,” Powell stressed.
She encouraged members of the business community to assist in any way possible, as she identified a number of necessities to complete the project including a stove, washing machine, computer software and visual learning material for Home Economics.
Meanwhile, the school’s Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM) lab has received its equal facelift, fitting the centre with lab tables and counters, an administrative office, air-condition unit and some furniture. And, although the room is not completed, Caesar has high hopes that the new centre would be of great benefit to the students.
“EDPM students had to go the Information Technology lab which already had its quota of students. And although there were a few computers for the space, they could not be installed because the room was not yet been prepared,” Caesar told this media house.
She informed that the new room is still in need of computers and learning material. She also encouraged members of the community to assist in any way possible.
Principal of the school Lorozine Williams commended the efforts of the two teachers and noted that they have not only “upgraded the facilities but they have also captured the vision of the institution”.
“I applaud them and wish them the very best. I feel it will go a long way in helping our students in particular to enhance the programmes offered with the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCLSC) examinations and to learn skill-based subjects,” Williams said.
