Bamia Primary School finally opens

Jan 06, 2026 News

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…ministry says works completed, liability period still ongoing

(Kaieteur News) – After four years under construction, the Bamia Primary School in Region 10 is officially completed and opened for learners.

This is according to a statement from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development which stated that January 5, 2026 marked the official completion and opening of the school; a long-anticipated regional education project.

“The opening of the school reflects the government’s continued commitment to strengthening regional infrastructure and improving access to essential services at the community level,” the ministry reported, adding that the liability period is still ongoing.

According to the local government ministry, the school is a modern, purpose-built facility designed to provide a safe, inclusive, and conducive learning environment for children in Bamia and surrounding communities. The school includes spacious classrooms, administrative offices, sanitary facilities, and supporting infrastructure aimed at enhancing teaching and learning outcomes.

Minister Priya Manickchand expressed happiness over the completion of the school. “It was a major and consistent effort that had to be employed to get this school finished.”

She said, “everytime stakeholders fail to realise the government’s vision for universal access to education, it is our children and teachers who suffer and that is the opposite of what the government intends and desires.”

Further, the ministry noted that as a regional project, the completion of the primary school highlights the role of local government in identifying community needs, implementing development works, and ensuring that residents benefit directly from public investment.

With the school now operational, students will benefit from improved learning conditions closer to home, while educators are supported by a modern and functional facility, the ministry explained.

“The completion and opening of Bamia Primary School demonstrate the practical outcomes of effective regional governance. Through the local government framework, this project responds directly to community needs and ensures that public investment translates into real, accessible services for families in Region Ten. We wish our pupils and teachers of this school and those who will be educated here all the very best,” the ministry expressed.

Kaieteur News reported that the $346 million contract for the school was awarded to St8tment Investment Inc. in November 2021 and was initially expected to be completed by July 2023. St8tment Investment Inc. was incorporated in March, 2021. Its principals are Rawle Ferguson and Kerwin Bollers of Hits and Jams Entertainment along with Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major and Kashif Muhammed of the Kashif and Shanghai football tournament.

Since the signing of the contract, the project has since faced several challenges causing numerous missed deadlines. The project experienced several delays due to a range of challenges, including labour shortages, increased material costs, and unfavourable weather conditions. The setbacks collectively impacted the original timeline and contributed to extensions; the contractor had claimed.

Minister Manickchand upon assuming her post, visited the project in September 2025 and had given the contractor up to October to complete all works. The school was still not completed by then.

During an appearance on the GoMoseley Online Radio on December 1, 2025, Minister Manickchand informed that the project remains incomplete, with contractors still tasked with minor works before the facility can be handed over.

“Contractors there have not finished what they are supposed to do. Up to yesterday, the ministry was there, there are some very minor works left to be done,” she relayed.

She said government will not accept an unfinished project.

Having had several meetings with the contractor on what needed to be done, Minister Manickchand said she suspected that even before school closed, students could begin occupying the new school building. “But that would require them finishing the work. We are not taking a building that is not finished, but yes I am very disappointed by how long it took,” she mentioned.

This newspaper understands that the modern educational building includes 44 classrooms, a fully equipped gymnasium, an auditorium, a science laboratory, a music room, a library, smart classrooms, and modern restroom facilities.

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• Bamia, Bamia Primary School, Hits and Jams Entertainment, learners, Rawle Ferguson

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