3 secondary schools were awarded top positions for their participation in the first Annual Best School Infrastructure Competition, during a recent ceremony at the Grenada Boys Secondary School.
Given that significant progress has been made by the Government of Grenada to improve school infrastructure, the Ministry introduced this initiative, to encourage schools to take the best care of their physical surroundings.
Acting Chief Education Officer, Mr Elvis Morain, emphasized the need to encourage important core values and increase students appreciation for their learning environment.
“I think what we want to do is to inculcate the right attitude, to ensure that those of us who use the class, understand the need to keep the environment clean,” Morain said.
St Rose Modern Secondary School placed first, receiving $8,000 and the challenge trophy, which was sponsored by the GUT Cooperative Credit Union; the St Joseph’s Convent St George’s, placed second, receiving $5,000; and the J W Fletcher Catholic Memorial School placed third, receiving $3,000. All funds go towards school improvement projects.
The judging criteria included the following: maintenance of the physical structure; maintenance of the toilet facilities; general cleanliness; school’s maintenance programme and beautification and care of the furniture. The competition will be executed annually at the pre-primary; primary and secondary school levels for public schools; however, for the academic year 2014-2015, judging was only conducted at the secondary school level.
Chairperson of the Annual Best School Infrastructure Competition Audit Team, Mrs Gertrude Duncan-Modeste, said, “Throughout implementation of the project, there were continuous assessments.” Additionally, she said the team recommended that, going forward, there should be a prize for the most improved school.
Congratulating the various schools, Minister for Education, Hon. Anthony Boatswain, reminded students of the purpose of the award, when he said, “It is to allow you to engage in a project that will further enhance the quality of the environment, in which you have to learn and in which the teachers have to teach.”
21 secondary schools participated and will receive certificates of participation. The challenge trophy will remain with any school that attains 3 consecutive wins.
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