Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara)
The Region Three Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Tuesday commissioned a $77 million education complex at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Bank Demerara.
The cost takes into consideration the $43 million building; a $17 million cold storage; a $12 million generator room (with generator installed and configured) and the driveway and open bond for $5 million.
The new complex replaces the old education building which was gutted by fire in 2009. As a result of the blaze, many documents were destroyed, and offices displaced.
Speaking at Tuesday’s commissioning ceremony, Senior Project Officer, Communities Ministry, Karen Roopchand spoke on behalf of Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan. Roopchand said the coalition Administration recognising the urgency and importance of such a facility to the region and by extension, the country, prioritised the reconstruction of the education department building.
She underscored some of the benefits. “To our parents, you can rest assured that issues regarding the region’s children will be dealt with in a more comfortable, spacious and private environment. To you the teachers, the resource centre will be returned to its original use where you can develop general and annual schemes, produce teaching aids and engage with each other. To the community, you now have your full library,” Roopchand is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.
Regional Education Officer Annesta Douglas noted that the project is a significant achievement for the education department. She expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the existence of the facility.
