The wait is over for the students, parents and teachers of the Ivan Dawson Primary School, as there will be official handover ceremony for the refurbished building on Thursday, January 31 at 10:00 a.m.

The restoration of the facility was a joint effort between the Ministry of Education and Culture, in partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line and supported by All Hands and Hearts, a nonprofit organisation founded in September 2005. This organisation provides relief to residents in areas affected by natural disasters in the United States and internationally.

Minister for Education and Culture, Honourable Myron Walwyn stated that the handing over of the Ivan Dawson Primary School is a step closer to the recovery of the education system and the country.

Honourable Walwyn said, “This handing over ceremony brings joy to my heart.  This means that the students, parents and teachers of this school, will once again be able to learn and operate in a conducive environment.  This ceremony also signifies that the Territory is one step closer to the Virgin Islands we knew before the storms of 2017.”

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture, Dr. Marcia Potter said the completion of the restoration of the school is cause for celebration, as students, teachers and parents will once again be able to enjoy their school.

Dr. Potter said, “I join in the celebration of this occasion, as our students, teachers and parents have been waiting for this day, and now it is finally here.  Our students were forced to learn under challenging and different circumstances, but the day, when they return to their school is here, and it is certainly cause for celebration.”

Other rehabilitated schools include the Willard Wheatley, Francis Lettsome, Joyce Samuel, Alexandrina Maduro, Althea Scatliffe and Ebenezer Thomas Primary Schools, Jost Van Dyke School; the Bregado Flax Educational Centre-Primary Division on Virgin Gorda and the Claudia Creque Educational Centre on Anegada.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is also in the process of reconstructing schools that were deemed unusable or severely damaged. Schools that were completely reconstructed by Government and/or private benefactors and have reopened are: Robinson O’Neal Memorial and Leonora Delville Primary Schools.  The Ivan Dawson Primary will reopen on January 31 and the Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary will be reopened during the Lent Term. 

Other schools that are under reconstruction or scheduled for reconstruction in early 2019 by Government and/or private benefactors are: Enis Adams Primary School, Bregado Flax Educational Centre Secondary Division and the Elmore Stoutt High School (L-Shape Building).

The Ministry of Education and Culture is extremely grateful for the financial support and labour of love from the many benefactors and volunteer groups who have contributed towards the restoration and rebuilding of schools in the Territory.