New school building for Albert Division
There are few prouder moments for a politician than the opportunity to open a new school building in his or her constituency. Today officials were all smiles as students in Belize City’s Albert Division prepared to move into their expanded facility.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
The new two-storey school building took only five months to construct. It consists of five classrooms, a computer room, a principal’s office and two restrooms. According to Sandra Carr, the Principal of James Garbutt Seventh Day Adventist, the old building had become too cramped and created difficulties for both staff and students.
Sandra Carr, Principal, James Garbutt 7th Day Adventist
“The school was very overcrowded. We have a class right now with two teachers inside and all the students around them. It’s really difficult, but the parents co-operate with us and they realise that someday this will change, and today is the dawning of that day.”
Today, at inauguration ceremonies, the students celebrated the day by showing their appreciation to all those who made it possible.
(Kids singing)
The new school building is as a result of a promise made by Area Representative Mark Espat and the Albert Committee as part of their commitment to the Albert Education Agenda.
Mark Espat, Area Representative, Albert Division
“In just three years we have upgraded, through the Social Investment Fund, Wesley High School, Anglican Cathedral College, Wesley Primary School. In just three years, we have broadened our assistance and nutritional programme to include every school in Albert. And in these three important years, we have cemented the relationship with school management.”
The building and all of its furnishings are valued at three hundred and twenty thousand dollars, which was funded by the Government of Belize. The students might not be aware of how much the project cost, but they do know that they can’t wait to move out of their old classrooms and into the new space that they say will be a lot more comfortable.
Ryan Gillett, Student
“It’s spacious and we have new chairs and desks and we’re right by the road, so see what is happening”
Ryan Rowland, Student
“It was small and hot, you can barely understand what the teacher’s saying in the classroom because of the students jammed beside us.”
The students were asked to take pride in their new school building. Now that they have been provided with a healthy environment to learn, they should work and study hard to make the most of that education. Reporting for News 5, Jacqueline Woods.
The new building will also be used as a hurricane shelter.
