September 6, 2010 by Kaieteur News
“It should have been completed for the beginning of this new academic year but we have very little funds and are struggling to complete it. I am asking the general public to assist. It is not for our benefit but for that of the children, the leaders of tomorrow. The two-flat concrete structure is being constructed by a parent who is qualified and this helps to save cost.”
The cost of the project is estimated to be $13 M. Donations are needed both in cash and kind namely windows, cement, paint, electrical and plumbing fittings. An appeal is being made to former students both at home and abroad to lend a helping hand in order to ensure its completion.
To date some $6 M was expended. This was accumulated over a three-year period after a series of fund-raising events including bingo and fairs, canteen sales as well as the contributions made by the benevolent. Another fund-raiser is billed for September 25th – an Old Students’ Dance at the New Amsterdam Prisons’ Sports Club.
This building is in keeping with technological advancement and when completed, furniture, projectors, white boards, computers, video cameras, DVD players, television sets, stand-by generator are just some of the paraphernalia that would be needed.
Head Teacher of the school Jennifer Rollins lauded the drive of the members of the PTA, saying it has been a vibrant body for more than a decade. She posited that this facility would help greatly in boosting the performance of students in all subject areas, “We are not forgetting the traditional ways, but we are finding modern methods of teaching and getting the message across. At the same time we are trying to hold the interest and prod them to dig deeper into concepts and the like. Many of the text books are now coming with DVDs and we do not want our students left behind. They must be able to stay up to date with technology.”