Completion of gov’t project to address school overcrowding and security revised

The completion of a $3-billion government project to deal with overcrowding and security in more than a dozen public schools has been extended by three years, from March 2025 to March 2028. 

The update is contained in the 2024-2025 proposed national budget tabled this afternoon in the House of Representatives. 

The Ministry of Education through its agency, the National Education Trust, is implementing what's known as the Primary and Secondary Infrastructure Programme, which is funded by the Government. 

The project started in April 2020 with the aim of constructing classrooms and other amenities to address overcrowding in schools.

An infant school is also to be built. 

Classrooms are due to be constructed at 17 high schools and two primary schools.

 Some 17 primary and three high schools are expected to benefit from construction of security fencing. 

Electrical systems at 10 high schools and three primary schools are also to be upgraded. 

The project's original duration was set for April 2020 to March 2023 but it was revised to March 2025. 

The latest budget documents reveal a further extension from April 2025 to March 2028. 

The money set aside was $3.3 billion.

Just over $1 billion has been spent already. 

Up to December 2023, works for the expansion of spaces were completed at Norman Manley, Black River, Papine, Kingston College and Edwin Allen high schools while construction activities started at institutions such as Exchange All-Age and Holmwood Technical.

Electrical upgrades were done at Kemps Hill, Denbigh and Garvey Maceo high schools, while security fencing was done at Cedric Titus High. 

For the upcoming financial year that starts April 1, approximately $846 million is to be spent to complete electrical works at 11 schools; fencing and security at 11 institutions and classroom construction at seven schools. 

Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke tabled the budget in the House today.

It is expected to be approved by March 31.

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