Sod turned for new $412M block at St Joseph’s High School

Minister of Education Sonia Parag joined other officials on Wednesday morning to turn the sod for a new $421 million block at the St. Joseph’s High School in Georgetown.

Funded with support from the World Bank, the facility will feature 10 new classrooms which can accommodate over 250 students. It will also include a physics and biology lab, an AutoCAD room, an allied arts room, a clothing and textile and home management classroom, a sick bay, a counseling room, and a staff room.

Speaking during the ceremony, Minister Parag noted that this investment represents more than just a new building, but speaks to the government’s commitment to improving access to education.

“We oftentimes take pictures and we place it up of turning the sod, meaning that we go out there with a shovel, and in this case with maybe some long boots and so on, and we will we will lift the soil. But it has so much more of a deeper meaning than simply doing that. It says to me that this is a school that has grown from strength to strength, that now houses more than 500 students, and if we are going to give you access, it is not only building a school to give you access, but it’s also extending existing schools so that we do not place you in a position where you are overcrowded and cannot thrive in that environment. Access doesn’t just mean a space, access also means that you can have an environment in which you are comfortable,” Minister Parag expressed.

First Lady Aria Ali, a former student of St. Joseph’s High School, delivered the feature remark at the event, noting that this new facility is an investment in the next generation of leaders, innovators, and nation builders.

“This investment exemplifies our dedication to strengthening the education sector and ensuring that every child has access to quality learning environments that foster excellence and inspire achievement. This new annex set to accommodate an additional 250 students prioritises investment in the minds, talents, and aspirations of our nation’s greatest resource, our children,” she noted.

The First Lady also highlighted that a new block has been designed to be accessible to persons with disabilities.

“As an advocate for fostering inclusive and accessible environments through the inclusivity initiative of my office, I am equally proud that this new facility has been designed to be fully ADA compliant, ensuring that students and staff with disabilities can navigate and access the space with dignity, independence, and ease. Through wheelchair accessible infrastructure and thoughtful inclusion design features, this new annex will ensure that every student, regardless of ability, feels supported, valued, and empowered to reach their fullest potential,” she outlined.

The project, which is being executed by Khemraj Nauth Inc., is expected to be completed in 10 months.