Wakenaam Island to have new Arthurville Primary School built on

Wakenaam island in Region Three was visited by Education Minister, Priya Manickchand on Monday to engage parents of learners attending the Arthurville Primary School. The aim was to address their concerns about the deteriorating school building. The minister disclosed that as a result of the worsening condition of the school’s physical structure over the years, it was decided in March of this year to move the children and teachers out of the school and have them accommodated at the Sans Souci Primary School.

Manickchand revealed to the parents that the Arthurville Primary School will not be shut down, but rather it will be demolished and a new and modern structure will be built at the same location.  The minister informed parents that the decision to move the children and teachers was necessary, since it was determined that the building was unsafe to use. She noted that a decision was made very quickly to have the children and staff moved to Sans Souci noting that it was the closest school with enough physical space.

Minister Manickchand stressed that contrary to what they might have heard from persons outside of the education sector, there were never talks to close the school completely. “This school is going to continue but you have to give us time to build it. I can’t know what I know and keep children and teachers here because I won’t be able to live with myself if anything is to ever happen to them,” Manickchand argued.

The education minister pointed out that every effort is being made within Central Ministry and at the Regional level to see how quickly the school can be rebuilt. She noted that the latest the island should expect the new school is 2023, but efforts will be made to have it completed as early as possible. Manickchand revealed that in the interim, the objective is to ensure the children and teachers are comfortable and that the learners can receive their education.

It was disclosed that before Monday’s visit, one minibus was assigned to transport the children from Arthurville to Sans Souci, but the decision was made to assign another bus so that children can get to school on time and be much more comfortable, while being shuttled to and from the Sans Souci Primary School. The education minister was accompanied on Monday’s visit by Regional Chairman, Mr. Inshan Ayube, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary), Mr. Rabindra Singh, Chief Schools Inspector, Mr. Saddam Hussain and Regional Education Officer, Mr. Akbar Chindu.