Holmwood Technical High School in Manchester now has a new, four-level classroom block, which was built by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information at a cost of approximately $200 million.
The building boasts 11 classrooms, four sets of male and female bathrooms, an elevator for disability access and teachers’ offices.
The project forms part of the secondary infrastructure upgrade for the parish and will result in some students from the nearby Manchester High School, which is currently on a shift system, being transferred over to Holmwood Technical.
At the official handover on Monday (March 2), Executive Director of the National Education Trust (NET), which oversaw the initiative, Latoya Harris-Ghartey, said that the project represents more than just constructing a new building.
“It is about accessibility and creating a nurturing environment for students and a launchpad for dreams,” she pointed out.
She noted that the road leading to the school was paved as part of the project.
Mrs. Harris-Ghartey said it is fitting that the project is being handed over at a time when Holmwood Technical is celebrating its 90th anniversary.
“Ninety years is no ordinary feat. It’s a testament to vision realised, challenges overcome, and lives transformed,” she noted.
“As a beacon of learning and a place of character-building and opportunities, Holmwood… continues to be an inspiring environment for the teachers who are dedicated to nurturing the young minds of students on a daily basis,” she said.
Holmwood Technical Principal, Hidran McKulsky, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education for its continued investment in the institution’s development.
‘They have also committed a tidy sum towards restoring our… institution to a stronger pre-Hurricane Melissa experience,” he reported.
Mr. McKulsky also thanked the school’s alumni for continuing to “stand by the school”, the board, members of staff, parents, students and well-wishers.
NET is a registered charitable organisation under the Education Ministry that mobilises funds and partnerships to improve educational infrastructure.
