Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/4458/-1/135/
|
Crown Land For School: New Omolulu To Relieve Overcrowding
|
The Teacher Gloria Omolulu Institute, which has been experiencing accommodation and other related difficulties over the years, is now to have its own permanent home – a new classroom building on land provided in a lease by the Anguilla Government.
The lease agreement was signed in the Executive Council Chambers on Tuesday this week by Governor Andrew George along with Foster Rogers, Permanent Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office, and Dr. O. M. Linda Banks, founder of the school. The agreement was witnessed by Barrister-at-Law Courtney Abel, Chairperson of the school’s steering committee. Director of Lands and Surveys, Gifford Connor, was present in his role as Commissioner of Oaths.
|
|
Signing of the Lease Agreement
|
Mr. Rogers said that the Government had been negotiating for some time with the principals of the school for the acquisition of an area of land to accommodate the educational institution. He noted that with increased development and more people coming to Anguilla with their children, the primary school system was filled to capacity.
Consequently, the Government decided to help to develop the privately-owned school to ease the overflow from the primary schools.
The Government purchased land from Albert Lake in the Quarter with the expressed purpose of leasing a portion for the building of the school. Just over two acres have been leased to the Omolulu Institute for an initial period of 25 years at EC$1200 per annum. “It is a rate that shows the importance of education in Anguilla,” Mr. Rogers added.
Dr. Banks said the aim of the school to have its own permanent building had been a 13-year journey since its commencement in 1994. “Over the years we have had a vision for the school,” she went on. “Part of that vision has been realised somewhat in that it had a day care, pre-school and a primary school and has had a very successful operation. Our vision for the school is about life-long learning which includes day care, pre-school, primary, secondary, tertiary and community education which would include a fine arts centre and a swimming programme, established before. The goal is to take children from the cradle to the grave.
“We have decided to adopt the village concept so our school is seen as a learning village and a caring community where children are able to achieve their best because of the care and encouragement they get. In fact the word ‘Omolulu’ means child of God and we encourage our children to see themselves as marvels of God’s creation… and Omolulu reminds us all that we can strive to reach the summit of our own achievement.”
Dr. Banks was grateful to the Anguilla Government for its help and various persons who have assisted in the direction of the school. She also expressed gratitude to parents especially those who had been with the school over the past two years when it had been a challenging experience.
Governor George said he was very pleased to sign the lease agreement on behalf of the Anguilla Government. “I am very glad that the Government is able to support in this way the development of the Teacher Gloria Omolulu Institute which is an excellent initiative for the community,” he stated. “It will compliment the Government’s own provision of education at a time when the Anguillian society and economy are developing very rapidly; and the development of a good quality education is increasing with equal speed. This initiative from the Government will be a great encouragement to the maintenance of high standards and to the development of Anguilla’s youth in right paths for the future.”
The Omolulu Institute has been operating at several locations over the years with up to 150 children on its register at times. It is now operating in a section of the Scouts and Guides Ruthwill Auditorium with a reduced number of some 35 students. When the school’s own new building is erected, the student roll is expected to rise dramatically.
Arrangements are in hand to have the pre-fabricated school building constructed in time for its opening date in September this year.