More classrooms at Wesley Primary

When we last visited Wesley Primary School on January ninth, it was to attend a groundbreaking ceremony. Today, what was previously only a hole in the ground, has been transformed into a room with the future inside.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

The boys and girls proudly waved their Belizean flags to celebrate the occasion. After all, it took construction workers only eight months to build the newest addition to the Wesley Lower School. Established in 1913, the building had long become too small for its growing student body.

Kay Turton, Principal, Wesley Lower School

“We had classes that children were jammed in the class. So now we could move them out and give them a better accommodation so it was very much needed.”

Today there are five hundred and twenty children who attend Wesley Primary Lower School. The boys and girls will now be able to improve their reading and computer skills, which will be offered in two of the new rooms. The new building also includes much-improved bathrooms.

During ceremonies this morning on the school compound, the building was officially opened by area representative Mark Espat and Prime Minister Said Musa. It is dedicated to the memory of Shawn McKoy. McKoy, who taught at the school for a number of years, died earlier this year at the age of thirty-seven after a prolonged illness. The family, including McKoy’s two young sons were on hand for the ceremony. Rudolph McKoy says his daughter dedicated her life to education and they are proud to have her remembered in this way.

Rudolph McKoy, Father

“It is indeed an honour and privilege for us. We feel really honoured by the kind gesture bestowed upon us today. And we trust that, God willing, our children will have the opportunity of sharing in this building and the future of Wesley.”

The new building is situated next to the old primary school complex. It was constructed at a cost of two hundred and forty-eight thousand dollars by contractor Carlos Alvarado. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.

The Wesley Lower School is one of four new school buildings that have been built in the Albert Division. There are also plans to construct a new wing for Wesley College.