Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, yesterday turned the sod for the construction of the Vreed-En-Hoop Secondary School.
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, yesterday turned the sod for the construction of the Vreed-En-Hoop Secondary School.
A release from the Ministry of Education said that the school, which will be constructed at Crane on the West Coast of Demerara, represents a major investment in the Minis-try’s commitment to delivering improved and universal secondary education across Guyana.
The facility has been designed as a fully reinforced concrete structure featuring transparent roof sheeting and a circular design. It will house over 500 students and support the delivery of education that meets both academic and technical needs. The school will include more than 20 classrooms, a science centre equipped with physics, chemistry, and biology laboratories, and a Technical and Vocation Education Training centre furnished with industrial and home economics labs. Students will also benefit from a multi-purpose hall, a canteen and cafeteria.
Additionally, a sanitary block will be constructed to serve both the student body and teaching staff. Safety has been a key consideration in the design, with fire escape exits, alarms, extinguishers, escape doors, fire-retardant panels, limited use of timber, and metal ceilings forming part of the fire prevention system. Outdoor recreational spaces will also be included, enabling students to participate in sports such as basketball and cricket.
The total cost of the project is $979,620,900. Construction contracts were awarded through a competitive public bidding process in accordance with Guyana’s Procurement Act, ensuring transparency and adherence to proper procurement procedures. The release said that the project will be executed in four lots. Lot One covers the sub-structure, superstructure, electrical works, plumbing, fire safety, and finishing for administrative areas, the library, and classrooms, and will be carried out by K&S General Construction for $323,500,000. Lot Two, which includes similar works for the science labs, mechanical labs, technology drawing labs, and classrooms, has been awarded to D&S Construction for $279,800,000. Lot Three, which entails external works, will be executed by Ele’s Trading and Hard-ware for $269,110,500. Lot Four, which involves furnishing, has been awarded to PS23 Construction for $107,210,400.
The construction period is expected to last nine months, with many components being developed simultaneously to meet the projected timeline. There will be a nine-month defects liability period for some components, ensuring quality and allowing for any necessary adjustments or corrections during that time, the release said. GR Engineering will serve as the consultant for the project, overseeing all technical and supervisory aspects.
This new secondary school forms part of the Ministry’s broader mission to close the education access gap, particularly in rapidly expanding communities, the release added.
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