New Gerald Estate JSS to open next year January
Pini Bothoko | Monday October 24, 2016 16:57
The P118 million project’s construction progress is currently at 99 % and expected to complete end of this month.
The 30-stream school will cater for around 1,350 students. The school has 20-unit staff houses to cater for 40 teachers when sharing and two three bed-roomed houses for the school head and the deputy school head.
The government has also constructed 16 -unit staff houses to cater for 32 teachers a ew metres from the school at the cost of P15 million.
When touring the project recently, the Assistant Minister of Basic Education Moiseraela Goya said the school would help relieve the congestion in other junior secondary schools here and even enable admission of students closer to their homes. For years, children from this location have been travelling long distances to attend school in other parts of the city, something that has been a concern to parents and the city leadership.
Goya commended LMS Supper Construction Company for finishing the project within budget and scope.
He said this was a good development to note that ever since government got tough with companies that do not deliver projects on time and within budget, the companies have started delivering.
He said following what he has seen when touring the school, he is confident that next year when the school opens it will be 100% complete. “In the past as government, we find ourselves having to swallow a bitter pill with projects not finishing on time but I am happy that next year January this school will complete,” said Goya.
He stated that following such disappointments as ministers across all ministries they have started to monitor and establish the progress of their projects.
He pleaded with the Department of Buildings and Engineering Services( DBES) in his ministry to report any defects they notice so that the contractor can correct them while the project is still within the liability period.
Goya said usually if the defects are not reported in time before the liability period elapses, then it will cost government a lot of money tht will be expended on the correction of the defects. The school has 30 classes, two science labs, home economics labs, Design and Technology and two Art labs respectively and a dining room with an eating area in the foreground.
Meanwhile, superintendent of works under the DBES, Ishmael Othusitse said the design of the school omitted the warehouse, supply office and the conference room. He pleaded with the ministry to increase the budget of the project so
that they can add them whilst the contractor is still on site. Othusitse also pleaded with the minister to consider providing the dining room with furniture so that students can be taught eating etiquette at early stage.
Responding, minister Goya promised to take note of the expansion of the staff room, which he said was too small to cater for a 30-stream school.
He also promised to find the solution with the supplier’s office, but said for the conference room the school can meanwhile utilise the one at neighbouring FCTVE.