Science lab, more classroom space for St. Winifride’s secondary school students

A sum of $85 million is being spent to expand the St. Winifride’s Secondary school at Garnett Street, Georgetown, so that at least 100 students will be more comfortably accommodated. A science laboratory is also being constructed.

A sod turning exercise was held on Monday in the school’s compound. Following this, a two-storey building encompassing four classrooms and the laboratory will be constructed.

The school’s Headteacher Rowena Seymour said some 144 registered Grade Seven students should be more comfortably accommodated by next year when construction is complete.

Beyond that, she said the new laboratory will provide many students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the science subjects; that is, physics, biology and chemistry.

The Education Ministry’s Special Projects Officer Ron Eastman told a gathering at the school that the expansion will see students benefiting from a modern, fully outfitted science laboratory and additional classroom space.

The expansion should be completed in five months’ time.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand, offering brief remarks before the sod turning, explained that inadequate space for schoolchildren is among the reasons for school dropouts.

With the Education Ministry seeking to limit the number of school dropouts and other learning losses, Manickchand said expanding schools and constructing new ones are key priorities.