Published 2 May 2019
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis Source
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris said the Team Unity Government is committed to building a bright future for young people in education.
“The new Basseterre High School will come because it represents a new modern exciting future for the young people of St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Dr. Harris.
Prime Minister Harris stated that young people should always be given the opportunity to strive.
“None must ever deny our young people their opportunity for progress. None must ever protest against that which is good, decent and in order for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis,” Prime Minister Harris said. “So, 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.”
Minister of Public Infrastructure and Parliamentary Representative for Constituency #1, the Honourable Ian Patches Liburd, expressed his delight in seeing the initiative once step closer to being realized.
“Today I am happy because when we got into office in 2015 we fulfilled our commitment,” said Minister Liburd, while reflecting briefly on the past shift system. “We first decided to end the disruptive disposition of the students who were scattered all over the place… and it did not take too long before we relocated the students and teachers to a brand new temporary school at Taylor’s Village.”
Minister Liburd said that it was important to ensure that students were placed in a clean and friendly environment as those types of settings play a big part in their overall health.
“Environmental health issues should be dealt with expeditiously and we dealt with them with a lot of speed. Health and safety are the prerogative of every individual; it is a fundamental right,” he said. “So, we are here today to reassure you that you not have a fundamental right to education, but that process must be facilitated in an environment that is not only conducive to learning but is also healthy and safe.”
The construction of the new school has been in the works since 2015 and the government has left no stone unturned in ensuring that the environs are properly cared for during the building stage and after the institution is opened. The new state-of-the-art Basseterre High School will be built at Pond’s Extension in East Basseterre. The size of the parcel of land designated for building the school is approximately 14 acres.
Minister of Education, the Honourable Shawn Richards (right) and Minister Liburd unveil 3D Design of the new Basseterre High School
