Our Lady of Fatima R.C School in Roaring Creek village has received a new building that is set to serve 211 students. The two story building includes seven classrooms and bathrooms. The building will also serve as a hurricane shelter. Jaleeza Roberts attended the inauguration and files this report:
Students at Our Lady of Fatima RC School will now have a safer and more comfortable space to learn. Earlier today, officials gathered for the inauguration of a new school building donated by the Government through the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing.
Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing Julius Espat noted that projects like these were long planned but only became possible once the government had access to the necessary resources.
Julius Espat, Minister of MIDH
"These are projects that we have had in mind for quite some time but as you are aware once you are in opposition, which I was for two terms, the resources just aren't there. But it's a promise that we made and it's a good feeling to know that we have been Able to keep our promise."
And with that promise, Espat believes that improving school environments is critical for students to succeed.
Julius Espat, Minister of MIDH
"We have to invest more in our children, the one in Camalote is worse than this one where they had rat bats and rats and in fact we've found in some of the schools that some of the roofing asbestos so we are trying to comprehend and take it to a level, this is the future, you know that. We have to invest in our children and as I said in my speech, it is hard for our children to to be able to receive information when they're, the environment is not conducive to that."
And in that same light, Prime Minister John Briceno says education remains one of the government's highest priorities.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"From the beginning we've been saying that we need to begin dealing with the social issues and education is a high priority of our Government. Education continues to have almost 25 percent of the budget and when we are able to come and build a building of this quality and a building that can also serve dual purposes not only as a classroom but also as a hurricane shelter, it gives you that feeling of accomplishment."
The building can accommodate up to 200 students and was designed to not only serve as classrooms but as a hurricane shelter. This may be the first of its kind in the Cayo South constituency, but not the last as discussion are already underway for another.
Julius Espat, Minister of MIDH
"We will be repeating this exact same design in Camalote, it is in the budget. We had a budget consultation with Cabinet this week and it was approved so it's just a matter of going through the process in the house and the design is set already and we'll put it out to bid. These buildings cost approximately 1.5 million dollars for 7,500 square feet which brings this new building to about $200 per square foot inclusive of furniture."
Another school building is set to next be built in Camalote village.
