The Bahamas government signed a $1,192,651 contract with Garvin Neilly of St. George's Cay Construction Company to construct a six-classroom block addition to he Spanish Wells All-Age School, Wednesday, August 10.  "The classroom block will undoubtedly contribute to the government's efforts to ensure that our students are provided with modern and well-maintained schools in which they may learn and thrive," said Minister of Public Works and Transport Neko Grant in a recent press statement.

In addition to classrooms, the building of 5,577 square feet will include a tuck shop and students' restroom at the school, where there are 16 teachers and nearly 200 students.  The project is expected to be completed in eight months.  The signing ceremony was held at the Government Administration Office in Spanish Wells.  The Spanish Wells community band provided entertainment for the event.

Minister of Education Desmond Bannister; Alvin Smith, member of Parliament for North Eleuthera; Elma Garraway, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education; Elizabeth Keju, acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education; Preston Cunningham, Chrisfield Johnson and Gregory Knowles, island administrators and other senior government officials were in attendance.

Ministry of Education officials Caldwell Pratt, deputy director; Livingston Forbes, chief architect; Dion Munroe, engineer and local government representatives including Gill Pinder, Theo Neilly and Tremaine Johnson were also present.  Grant thanked the technical team for their contributions to the project.  He said he expects the work to be of a high standard.  In brief remarks, Smith said the construction of the classroom block is a reward that students and the community have earned.

"I have never been anywhere in The Bahamas and seen a community that supports its schools in the same way which the community of Spanish Wells supports The Spanish Wells All Age School," Smith said.  He expressed hope that the new block would provide an opportunity for expanded programs in technical education.

Bannister said on a visit to The Spanish Wells All Age School he was surprised to see students learning under a tree.  Despite their humble facilities, Bannister said he marvelled how the children took pride in their classrooms by taking care of the facilities and keeping them clean.

He boasted of the school's high BJC and BGCSE recent results including 14 As, 24 Bs, and 29 Cs with 100% passes in General Science in BJC subjects and 11 As, 17 Bs and 35 Cs and 100% passes in Religious Education and Food and Nutrition in BGCSE subjects.

"This speaks to the commitment of parents, teachers and students," Bannister said.  He emphasized that the government is grateful to provide the classroom space needed at the school. He encouraged the community to continue to support the institution.  Fifteen Bahamians are employed on the construction project and it is anticipated that more persons will be hired as work continues.

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