Construction of Tuschen & Hosororo Secondary schools to cost $3.4B

Jul 08, 2023 News

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Kaieteur News – The Ministry of Education on Friday signed two contracts totalling $3,483,913,656 to construct secondary schools at Tuschen, Region Three and at Hosororo, Region One.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand witnessed the signing of the contracts between the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alfred King and the contractors.

The Minister in her briefs remarks yesterday said that her Ministry is on a massive drive to enhance secondary education across the country. Minister Manickchand explained that with more students attending school, it is a necessity for them to be taught and learn in a comfortable environment.

It is part of the ministry’s goal to achieve universal secondary education in Guyana. Over the past few weeks, a number of contracts were signed for the construction of new secondary schools as well as the renovation of others.

The Education Minister cautioned contractors about delays noting sternly that the projects must be completed before September 2024.

“You are going to change people’s lives. An entire generation will get a different and a better life because of what you do,” the minister said while encouraging the contractors to be efficient and communicate should they experience difficulties.

Meanwhile, at the signing of the contracts it was revealed that the construction of the Tuschen Secondary School will cost $864,705,395.

This school is said to be a fully reinforced concrete one flat structure combined with a circular and cylindrical building outline that is covered in a dome roof. The building is measured in several blocks from 600 sq.ft. to 7105 sq.ft. The building will also be branched with several scientific and research centres, a multi-purpose and cafeteria hall, a storage and changing area and a library and document centre. The school will consist of 24 classrooms to accommodate over 800 students. The science centre will be equipped with a physics, chemistry and biology lab while the TVET Centre will have industrial and home economics laboratories.

The school will also have sanitary blocks for the student and teacher population. The building will also be equipped with fire prevention features which include fire escape exits, escape doors, fire alarms, extinguishers, limited timber usage, metal ceilings and fire-retardant panels. The outdoor space will include a recreational facility for basketball, cricket and other sports.

The contracts awarded for the construction of the school are as follows: Lot -1 Sub-Structure Works – S&K Construction -$285,101,936; Lot -2 Super-Structure Works – AS Construction – $179,100,000; Lot -3 Plumbing Works – VG Group Guyana Inc. – $29,212,549; Lot -4 Electrical Works – N Balgobin & Sons – $72,467,910; Lot -5 Finishing Works – K&S General Construction – $137,833,000; and Lot -6 External Works – AS Construction – $160,990,000.

On the other hand, the Hosororo Secondary School will be constructed to the tune of $2,619,208,261.

This school which is measured 409 ft. by 25 ft. will have 29 classrooms to accommodate over 500 students. It will have a science centre which will feature physics, chemistry and biology laboratories. A TVET centre which will have both industrial and home economics laboratories. A student dormitory and visiting area will also be constructed to accommodate 200 students while the teachers’ duplex living quarters will accommodate 20 teachers.

It was noted too that at this school, there will be sanitary blocks for both students and teachers. The fire prevention features will include fire escape exits, escape doors, fire alarms, extinguishers, limited timber usage, metal ceilings and fire-retardant panels. The outdoor space at the school is said to accommodate several sporting disciplines.

The contracts awarded for this school are as follows: Lot -1 Site Development Works – International Imports & Supplies – $280,204,731;  Lot -2 Sub-Structure Works, School Building International Imports & Supplies – $303,837,015; Lot -3 Sub-Structure Works, Dormitory – Supreme Contracting & Supplies – $196,319,040; Lot -4 Sub-Structure Works, Teachers Quarters – International Imports & Supplies – $180,402,585; Lot -5 Super-Structure Works & Electrical – VG Group Guyana – $1,411,400,917; and Lot -6 Plumbing Works – VG Group Guyana – $247,043,973.

It was stated yesterday that the projects have been divided into lots so as to have them completed early. Both schools are scheduled to be completed within seven to eight months.

Kaieteur News understands that GR engineering has been awarded the contract to supervise the projects.

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• contracts signed, Hosororo, Ministry of Education, Secondary School, Tuschen

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