The
Development Planning Unit
Government of the British Virgin Islands

Virgin Gorda Primary School

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Description and Scope:
The project entails the construction of a model primary school facility at the Valley, Virgin Gorda, with a view towards improving the current school infrastructure at the Bregado Flax Educational Centre and thereby improving the learning environment and the quality of education provided to students.

Background:
The present physical setup of the school system at the Bregado Flax Educational Centre (BFEC) is unacceptable in that, both Primary and Secondary divisions, occupy the same facilities. At the beginning of 1998-1999 school year, there were approximately 25 teachers and other staff and some 380 students occupying a 3.5-acre campus. In view of the fact that the Valley is a densely populated area and that both primary and secondary enrollment is expected to increase in the medium term, this situation will further exacerbate the already existent physical and educational incompatibilities. Perhaps the main incompatibility lies in the fact that secondary students cannot receive instruction from the full national secondary school curriculum being that its development is severely constrained by the lack of physical facilities for specialized subjects. This is especially true of those subjects within the natural sciences and technical fields. The relocation of the BFEC primary division is expected to rectify this situation in that the vacant facilities will then be retrofitted to accommodate the requirements of the full secondary school curriculum. A new primary school will be constructed elsewhere and it will basically serve as a model school for the Territory, since it will have been designed to accommodate population growth for the next 10 years. In addition to providing the full primary curriculum, it is expected to provide adequate security and recreational areas as well. It is hoped that once this project is implemented and both divisions are separated, the resultant environment should be more conducive to learning and this in turn is expected to positively impact graduates’ earning potential and overall quality of life in the long term.

Project Rationale:
The construction of a new primary school and the subsequent relocation of students is expected to enhance the teaching and learning environment at both the primary and secondary level. This in turn is expected to substantially improve the quality of education received by students with other major benefits being:

1. Reduced (student) congestion in classrooms, bathrooms, labs etc., as separation of divisions will require separate student facilities.
2. Improvement to school curriculum, particularly as it relates to the secondary school, as requisite facilities and resources will be available and accessible to students and teachers.
3. Increased student and teacher productivity, due mainly to improved curriculum and learning environment; this can be quantified by academic performance on national exams etc.
4. Greater participation in sports, and extra curricular activities; this will result from improved access to fields and other recreational facilities.

Summary of Related Studies:
Under the objective of providing equal access to training and educational facilities by children and young persons, the (first) BVI Five Year Education Review and Plan (1990 – 1994), listed the Bregado Flax Educational Centre as one of the major educational institutions scheduled for improvement and upgrade. Particularly as it relates to the provision of additional spaces within the Primary School. However whereas over time physical improvements were carried out on both the Primary and Secondary divisions, the rapid growth in the student population clearly warrants the separation of the facilities. As a precursor to project investment, in August of 1998, the Town and Country Planning Department conducted a review of possible sites for the new primary facilities. Site evaluation was based on the following criterion:

• Size: ideally 5- 7 acres;
• Accessibility to population centers;
• Compatibility with existing uses;
• Ownership of property;
• Easy access to a main road;
• Proximity and availability of utilities and sanitary systems;

Five (5) sites were evaluated by Town and Country Planning. The final selection was conducted by the Project Steering Committee, and yielded the Harrigan/Vanterpool combined site located on the north-eastern section of the Valley, as the most suitable site for the construction of the new primary school.

Expected Output:
Construction is expected to yield a new model school facility, easily accessible by the physically challenged, and containing the following:

• Multiple classrooms capable of accommodating an average of 30 students each;
• Principal facilities
• Staff room
• Janitor’s room
• Sick Bay
• Vocational room – (arts & craft, cooking, sewing etc.)
• Resource Centre (library and computer room)
• Assembly Hall (open type Auditorium that can accommodate multiple users)
• Adequate parking relative to staff
• Male / Female bathroom facilities which should include physical education, changing rooms and showers

Associated Risks:
Assuming that negotiations with landowners are successful and complete and that requisite funding is secured, there should be no major risks associated with the implementation of this project. There maybe some disruption experienced by students and staff during the transition period from old to new facilities. However being that outfitting, moving of furnishings etc. will more than likely take place during school vacation risks should be minimal. Also, damage from hurricanes and other natural disasters will always be a possible factor. However given the implementation of new standards and procedures in construction of buildings in the BVI, this risk should at least be reduced.

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This page was last updated on: Wednesday, 23rd August 2006