Published 2 May 2019
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis Source
New Basseterre High School gives Team Unity Administration opportunity to transform lives of young people
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, May 2, 2019 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — The building of a new state-of-the-art Basseterre High School at a cost of $80 million at Ponds Estate has presented the Team Unity Administration the wonderful opportunity to transform the lives of every boy and girl, and no one should ever deny the country’s young people their opportunity for progress.
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Sustainable Development, National Security, People Empowerment, and Constituency Empowerment, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris made the observation on Thursday May 2 at a ceremony held at the site of the new school, in East Basseterre, to unveil the 3D model of the school.
“Thanks to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis for this wonderful opportunity to serve, and the wonderful opportunity that has been presented to my Team Unity Administration to transform the lives of every boy and girl, every man and every woman in St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Prime Minister Harris.
Saying that the new Basseterre High School represents a new modern and exciting future, the Hon Prime Minister strongly advised that no one must ever deny the country’s young people their opportunity for progress. He further advised that no one must ever protest against that which is good, decent and in order, for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
As a proud former student of the Basseterre High School, having attended its Sixth Form, Prime Minister Harris who named a number of his former school mates including Prophetess Debbie Isaac, Cabinet Minister the Hon Lindsay Grant, business executive Mr Mark Wilkin, and civil servant Mr T. Denison Paul among others, observed that they had the best time to build on their future.
“Today in a manner of speaking we have come to give back – outstanding outputs of the Basseterre High School, allowing the generation after us this opportunity to excel,” said Dr Harris. “How could anyone – anyone with a sane mind, anyone with a patriotic mind stand as a stumbling block to the progress of thousands of young people who will pass through the doors of the Basseterre High School?”
Added the Prime Minister: “So, we have to know on which side of history we will anchor: Those who want progress and who understand the critical role of education as a mobiliser, and an enabler of progress and development in our society.”
Addressing the large gathering that was attended by hundreds, including students from the Basseterre High School and other schools, were the Minister of Public Infrastructure and Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher One (East Basseterre), the Hon Ian Patches Liburd, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education the Hon Shawn Richards.
“I am very happy to be part of this history – the evolution of Basseterre High School, but most importantly the evolution of education and its role in the development of St. Kitts and Nevis,” stated the Prime Minister. “A new educational architecture is unfolding in St. Kitts and Nevis – the construction of this new state-of-the-art secondary school facility is real as it is imminent.”
Prime Minister Harris further stated: “Today of course, it is not just about the rebuilding of the old unsafe, unhealthy Basseterre High School. Today it is about a re-look at our educational landscape in St. Kitts and Nevis. Today we acknowledge that something good is happening in education and education is on the move.”
The ceremony which was chaired by Education Officer Mr Sylvester Charles was also attended Governor General’s Deputy Mr Michael Morton, and by Cabinet Ministers the Hon Lindsay Grant, the Hon Eugene Hamilton, the Hon Vincent Byron, and the Hon Wendy Phipps. Others in attendance included Cabinet Secretary Mrs Josephine Huggins, Permanent Secretaries William Vincent Hodge of Education, Mrs Carlene Henry-Morton of Tourism (a former Principal of the Basseterre High School), and Mrs Elreter Simpson-Browne of Sustainable Development.
Also in attendance included the Deputy Speaker Senator the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett, a former principal of the Basseterre High School Ambassador His Excellence Sydney Osborne, Ambassador His Excellency Michael Powell, and the Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan His Excellency Tom Lee. The vote of thanks was given by the Principal of the Basseterre High School, Mr Maurice Benjamin.
ENDS
Pix captions:
1: PM Harris (right) congratulates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Hon Shawn Richards after the unveiling of the 3D model. Looking on is Hon Ian Patches Liburd.
2: Members of the audience who included Cabinet Ministers, seen on front row (right), join students in singing the Basseterre High School Song.
3: The 3D model of the new Basseterre High School which will be the best in the region.
4: Members of the Basseterre High School Symphonic Band play selections, among them ‘We build our school on Thee, Oh Lord’.
5: Students of the Basseterre High School present a poem – ‘The Builder’.
