New Basic School to be Built at Robins Bay

A contract for the construction of a new basic school in Robins Bay, St. Mary was signed between the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and the Robins Bay Citizens’ Association on March 30.
Valued at $5.8 million, the contract will be carried out by Garan-Tee Construction Company Limited.
The Robins Bay Basic School has been in existence for 60 years, during which time it has been housed in several buildings. Currently, classes are held in the community centre, which is not a convenient location because of the various activities that are conducted there.

Work is already underway on the construction of the new school building.

About 42 students and two teachers will benefit directly from the project, which will involve the construction of a school building to house two classrooms, a principal’s office, sanitary conveniences and kitchen facilities.
Under the contract, the school will also be equipped with furniture and play equipment, including a jungle gym, a see-saw, a slide and sand pit.
Addressing the signing ceremony, Milton Harper, Social Appraisal Officer at the JSIF commended the Robins Bay Citizens’ Association for the initiative they took to partner with his organisation to construct the school.
He noted that this school project should serve as a reminder that Jamaicans were capable of devising and implementing solutions to challenges, and pointed out that members of the Citizens Association had made a commitment to put up at least 11 per cent of the total cost of the project in order to be eligible to receive the assistance from the JSIF.
Mr. Harper said the members would clear and excavate the proposed site for the new school, provide storage and security for material on site, and provide labour for the contractor at discounted costs.
He implored the members to ensure that their contribution was made in full, and that they make a special effort to protect the building when it is completed.