The construction of a $421.2 million annexe at St Joseph High School in Georgetown will begin soon following the ground-breaking ceremony on Wednesday.
The 22,360-square-foot building will feature 10 classrooms, physics and biology laboratories, an AutoCAD room, an Allied Arts room, clothing and textiles and home management classrooms, a sick bay, counselling room, staff room, and modern washroom facilities.
During the ceremony, Minister of Education Sonia Parag said the project is designed to reduce overcrowding while expanding the school’s academic programmes.
“If we are going to give you access, it is also extending existing schools so that we do not place you in a position where you are overcrowded and cannot thrive in that environment,” Minister Parag stated.
The facility will be constructed along the school’s northern boundary after project planners determined it to be the most suitable location. This will allow for maximum use of available space while preserving the functionality and character of the learning facility.
The design incorporates sustainability and safety measures, including improved lighting and ventilation, modern fire safety systems, enhanced drainage infrastructure, and elevated floor levels to improve flood resilience.
First Lady Arya Ali, a former student of St Joseph High School, said the ceremony represented more than the start of a construction project; it marks the laying of a foundation for opportunities, growth and transformation.
“Each brick that will be placed and every structure erected on this ground signifies our collective confidence in our young people, who will become our leaders, educators and nation builders of tomorrow.”
She added that the occasion held special significance because of her connection to the school as a former student.
The two-storey annexe is expected to be completed within 10 months.
The building has also been designed with accessibility in mind and will be ADA compliant for persons with disabilities.
Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Steven Jacobs pledged to provide the school with cricket equipment and other sporting gear to support students’ extracurricular development.