Basseterre, St.Kitts (December 16th 2015):- Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris has announced during the Budget Address for 2016 that the construction of the brand new state of the art Basseterre High School will begin in 2016.
During his maiden budget address as Prime Minister Dr. Harris declared that $10 million has been allocated to begin the construction of what is expected to be the most modern High School on the Island and in the region.
PM Harris stated “Mr. Speaker, this Team Unity Government is a firm believer that there is always room for improvement in our approaches to the development of the Education Sector.
In light of the three years of troubles experienced by teachers, students and parents of the Basseterre High School, my Team Unity Government is committed to giving the school a Fresh Start with the construction of new facilities.
This commitment we hold sacred and therefore we have proposed an allocation of $10 million to initiate the construction of the new school in 2016.”
The Ministry of Education has been allocated $69.4 million for the 2016 Recurrent Budget, an increase of $3.2 million or 4.9% over the 2015 Budget.
A total of $15.6 million, $6.7 million or 74.6% more than 2015, would also be provided for Capital Expenditure.
Dr Harris stated “These increases represent one of the largest increases in terms of dollar amounts to any Ministry and signify my Government’s commitment to the development of our people.
We recognize education as one of the most effective tools for changing lives for the better.
Education has enormous power to change people’s situations moving them from poverty to acceptable standards of living.
We are therefore providing the additional resources to prepare our people to take advantage of the various opportunities that would emerge as a result of economic growth and development.”