$586 Million to be Spent on Furniture for Schools

For the start of the 2007/2008 academic year, more than 164,000 units of furniture have been delivered to schools across the island under contracts valued at more than $586 million.
The items provided include classroom furniture for teachers and students, library tables and chairs, filing cabinets, storage cupboards, stools, and screen boards.
Minister of Education and Youth, Maxine Henry-Wilson noted that more than 90 per cent of the furniture is made by local tradesmen who have been registered by the National Contracts Committee.
Mrs. Henry-Wilson also informed that for the new school year the Ministry’s revised building and facilities standards will be adopted.
“These standards will guide all construction projects; the quality of items purchased or made for the school system, as well as the maintenance programmes in our schools to ensure consistency throughout the system,” she said.
The Minister noted that adherence to established building and maintenance standards are critical in order to ensure the fullest returns on “our tremendous investment in education.”