A new school building is being proposed for Island Harbour. This was one of the matters discussed there between a team of Government Ministers, other officials and teachers this week.

Main section of the Island Harbour School

Details of the new school, for which there are two proposed sites, are still sketchy as the project is in its early stages of planning. The present school, near Island Harbour Bay, was built at the turn of the 1970s by Royal Engineers following the Anguilla Revolution.

A statement from the Public Relations Office in the Chief Minister’s Ministry said the meeting with the Principal, Ornette Edwards-Gumbs, and her staff, was to discuss the best approach towards rectifying the state of affairs relative to the school’s infrastructure. No further explanation was given.

The statement quoted the Minister of Social Development, Evans McNeil Rogers, as saying that “economic development will not outpace the social development of our nation.” He told the twelve teachers that as Anguilla developed financially and economically, there was a need to ensure that the social and health sectors were at least equivalent functionally and aesthetically.

Government officials and teachers

The statement continued: “Mr. Rogers was adamant that we must do everything within our powers to prepare ourselves and the next generation to contribute to Anguilla’s sustainability at all levels. He applauded the efforts and achievements of teachers and the excellent job they were performing throughout the island. He acknowledged that much had been done despite the limitations of adequate facilities and resources.”

The statement said the Minister received strong support from the principal and staff. They were pleased to hear at firsthand that economic development was not the summit of achievement on the Government’s agenda.

The Elected Representative for Island Harbour, Minister of Infrastructure, Kenneth Harrigan, was adamant that something needed to be done about the present primary school building in the district. Parliamentary Secretary, Albert Hughes, who was supportive of the proposal, alluded to the need to address the school at West End as well where work is yet to be continued.

Mr. Rogers pointed out that while he agreed that West End like all the other schools needed upgrades, repairs and completion, it was obvious that the Island Harbour School may have to be listed as an emergency.

The meeting was chaired by Fritz Smith who has responsibility for housing. He gave a brief overview of the plans and phases for the new school from design to completion.

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