ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, December 11, 2015: The Mac Donald college staff, students and well-wishers were thrilled by the handover of a new technical wing, on Thursday, November 19, 2015, which was financed by the OPEC Fund for International Development, at a cost of just under 9.1 million EC dollars.
Lorraine De Allie, Principal of Mac Donald College, located at Marli in St. Patrick, expressed her appreciation, saying, “I must say hats off to the Ministry of Education and their timely supply of teachers to facilitate the new additions to the curriculum. We look forward to similar support, in the provision of seats and equipment, for this magnificent structure.”
Work commenced on the construction of a three-storey laboratory block in September 2014 and was completed in August 2015. This addition was highly anticipated, for the past 20 years. The upgrade, which is part of the School Rehabilitation Project - Phase I, amplifies the school’s ability to deliver skills training. The inclusion of TVET [Technical and Vocational Education & Training] has been widely promoted across the region, given its potential to enhance youth employability skills.
Maria Viechweg, Chief Education Officer, Curriculum, said, “With the focus being on CVQ [Caribbean Vocational Qualification], many people can look forward with hope for the future.”
Apart from the previously offered technical subjects, being Food & Nutrition, Technical Drawing and Building Technology, the school can now offer Visual Arts, Clothing and Textiles, Home Management and Electronics.
Hon. Anthony Boatswain, Minister for Education and Human Resource Development, said, “We at the Ministry of Education, however, look forward to greater enrollment in technical subjects at the CXC level, and by extension, improved performances.”
The new block comprises of seven laboratories with the required built-in furniture - one for all technical subjects offered; a classroom; an administration department and male and female washrooms. Safety features include fire detection and alarm systems and fire extinguishers in strategic locations, such as the laboratories.
The Mac Donald College Principal looks forward to the future with high hopes.
“No longer will it be necessary for students, within the parish, to journey to neighbouring parishes to get state of the art technical secondary tuition, we can now provide it homegrown,” she said.
The contractor on this project was Jiangsu Geology and Construction Ltd., with the consultants being VIKAB Engineering Consultants Ltd., headed by Dave Doekaran.
