A sod-turning ceremony was held at the site of the original St Andrew’s Anglican Primary School (SAAPS) on Victoria Street, Grenville, on Tuesday, April 8, marking the countdown to a long-awaited new school structure.
Construction of the new school, which Education Minister Sen. the Hon. David Andrew sees as transforming the infrastructural and educational landscape of the town, begins Tuesday, April 15.
The CDB funded project is expected to reach completion within 18 months, on October 14, 2026, It will cost EC$26,592,237.90.
Principal of the St Andrew’s Anglican Primary School, Jennifer Rodney, is more than ready to see work begin. She commended her staff, parents, other stakeholders and supporters of the school for their endurance and applauded the work of the Dickon Mitchell-led administration.
She said, “We are opening our arms and embracing what’s to come. What a day! What a glorious day! First Chronicles 16:34 says, ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.’ It is God’s love, goodness, mercies and grace that have us here today to be witnessing history in the making.”
“Thanks to this government for ensuring that we do not just hear the project is in the budget for another year, but we are seeing its commencement,” Rodney said.
Past student and Vice Principal Sarah Hillaire said, “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the life of our school community, a chapter filled with growth, transformation and opportunity.”
Over two decades, the school has moved from Grenville to Progress Park and then Telescope, St Andrew.
Commending the tenacity of SAAPS’s staff, Education Minister Hon. David Andrew said, “The Government of Grenada and the Ministry of Education remain committed to ensuring we work towards SDG 4: Access to quality education for all.”
The school is being constructed as part of the second phase of the Grenada Education Enhancement Project (GEEP), under the Infrastructure Works component, wherein five schools will be reconstructed or rehabilitated. Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Social Sector Divisional Chief, Grenadian Martin Baptiste highlighted the rich history of the school and the importance of the CDB funded project.
Noting accessibility and environment-friendly features of the school, such as the elevator lift, elevated floors to counteract flooding and wastewater treatment solutions, Baptiste said, “We are pleased to partner with the Government of Grenada, through the Ministry of Education, to assist the Government in pursuing the strategic goal of modernising the education facilities across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.”
The new building will be approximately 15,000 square feet, with a modern L-shape design and two floors. There will be a total of 21 rooms for teaching. The ground floor will house seven adaptable classrooms for kindergarten and four classrooms for the primary level, as well as facilities for administration, a tuck shop and a kitchen. The first floor will have 10 classrooms for the primary level and a multi-purpose information technology (IT) room. A 5,000-square-foot playground and designated parking spaces will also be included. The design specifies a wheelchair ramp, ensuring that the building is accessible to everyone.
Permanent Secretary with responsibility for Educational Administration Lorraine St Louis-Nedd said, “The Ministry of Education acknowledges the efforts of all its partners in this endeavour: the Caribbean Development Bank; the Ministry of Infrastructure; the Anglican Church; the contracting team; school leadership and all stakeholders who have contributed to this process thus far.”
Grade 5 student Caiden Alexander said, “I think it would have a better environment, and we could learn more new stuff, and we could have space to free up ourselves.”
The contractor for the CDB-funded new St Andrew’s Anglican Primary School is Creative Design & Building Construction Co. Ltd.
Among those in attendance at the event were Parliamentary Representative for St. Andrew North West Hon. Delma Thomas; Parliamentary Representative for St. Andrew South-West Lennox Andrew; Caretaker for St. Andrew North-West Sen. the Hon. Gloria Thomas; Caretaker for St. Andrew’s North-East, Tessa St. Cyr, Ph.D.; Permanent Secretary with responsibility for Human Resources and Educational Development Elvis Morain; Acting Chief Education Officer Kathy-Ann James; and representatives from Creative Design and Building Construction Co. Ltd.
