Hon. Penn - Francis Lettsome primary should be example for others
In attendance were, Acting Chief Education Officer Ms. Beverlie Brathwaite; Liaison Officer of the Francis Lettsome Primary School Mrs. Ruth Frazer; Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Mr. Neil Smith; 8th District Representative Hon. Marlon Penn, Minister of Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn; Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith; Deputy Premier Hon. Kedrick Pickering along with the Principal, Staff, students and parents of the school.
District Eight Representative, Hon. Marlon A. Penn stated that the new structure is an example of how educational facilities should be built in the Virgin Islands (VI).
He reminded the attendees that the school falls under his District and he is immensely proud. “I am proud of the academic accomplishments made by the faculty and students made at this institution over the years.” He added that they deserve the new facilities.
He stated that the, “Francis Lettsome School have been amongst the top primary schools in the territory and having the top five primary students in the VI last year, this new facility comes as an award.”
Deputy Premier Hon. Kedrick Pickering in addressing the attendees, stated that it is his intentions to make the Francis Lettesome Primary School the best school in the Virgin Islands.
Hon. Pickering explained that the original design for the school was not fully implemented, but the school is still the best none the less.
“This school was supposed to be the first school in the VI to have an official lunch room because we saw the future, that whatever Government, the Government of the day would begin providing meals for the children.”
He claimed that other than academics, the school is still the best. “There is no other school in the BVI that has the infrastructure this school has.” He told the students to always dream and dream big, because dreams do come true.
In his remarks, Education Minister Hon. Myron V. Walwyn stated that the new facilities are bound to have a positive impact on the learning achievement of the students attending the school.
He added that the schools of the VI must be a place of interest to the students, for them to be successful at everything they attempt.
“When we allow them to learn in buildings with leaky roofs, hot class rooms, we are conveying the wrong message to our students. We are conveying a message that I believe does not speak to our desire to have our students become global competitors.
He stated that the Ministry will continue their assessment of all public schools and create a strategy to see how best all schools on all islands have facilities such as the Francis Lettsome Primary School.
Principal Ms. Elena Fahie said this has been long awaited and she is grateful to finally enjoy the new facilities by referring to it as “Paradise”.
The school is now equipped with additional classrooms, bathrooms, kitchenette, storage areas, administration and staff rooms and a library and resource centre.
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