Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 12, 2015 (SKNIS): Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Hon. Shawn Richards has observed that the students of Basseterre High School (BHS) are adjusting well to their temporary surroundings.
During a tour of the various locations this week, Minister Richards interacted with the students who said they were comfortable, expressed their gratitude and relayed just how much they have learned in just one week. One student commented that if they were not in the temporary areas they would have not been learning as much. \\Minister Richards stated that this alternative to the shift system is not perfect but nevertheless it is a situation which is manageable.
The minister stated that the government is in the process of ensuring that by the start of the next school term in January, new temporary buildings will be available to house forms one, two and three in particular so that more students can be in the same area. The minister of education reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a brand new school, revealing that it has already put the technical persons in the various ministries to work to ensure that, the school becomes a reality.
Meanwhile Bishop Ron Collins has been confirmed as the new principal of the Basseterre High School after his predecessor Mrs. Carlene Henry Morton was transferred to the Ministry of Tourism as the new Permanent Secretary there. The Basseterre High is among ten schools in St. Kitts that have had a change in leadership at the start of this new school year. Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris at his press conference this weekend announced the new appointments.
The leadership changes are: Ron Collins Principal of the Basseterre High School with John Samuel as his deputy; Charisse Dolphin-Gumbs the new Principal of the Washington Archibald High School. Her deputy is Juan Sergeant, Roger Woodley as the principal of Verchilds High School with Lonzo Wilkerson as his deputy; Maurice Benjamin is the new Deputy Principal of the Saddlers Secondary School. Bronte Welsh Primary School’s new principal is Virgil Jeffers and Steward Joseph is the new Deputy Principal. Valarie Richardson-Mason and Michelle Rochester-Woodley are the new Deputy Principals of the Sandy Point Primary School and the Newton Ground Primary School respectively. Dayle Phipps is the new principal of the Violet Petty Primary School. Francil Morris with support from his Deputy Principal Margret Hutchinson now heads the Cayon High School. Steward Joseph is the new Principal of the Tyrell Williams Primary School.
In other news part of the wooden building taken from the BHS compound to house BHS students in an area just south of the Beach Allen School, ran into accessibility problems during the process of its moving. Reports are the section transported on a flatbed truck was too large for the roadway and was stuck on the road for hours sand residents in the Taylors area had to be wit6hout lights as electricity was disrupted, traffic rerouted and people fences were temporarily removed to facilitate the transportation to Beach Allen grounds. Minister of Education Shawn K Richards was observed on the scene assisting with the transportation. Reports are that the building was not sanitized.