Promise Made & Kept — Basseterre High School Reconstruction to Begin in 2025: “The Future of Education”

Basseterre, St. Kitts, and Nevis, December 12, 2024 (PMO) – In continued efforts to enhance the educational infrastructure in St. Kitts and Nevis and provide students with state-of-the-art learning facilities, Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, along with Minister of Education the Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, is poised to fulfill a long-awaited promise made to the people of the Federation: the reconstruction of the Basseterre High School, which is set to begin in the first quarter of 2025.

This official announcement was made by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, respectively, while conducting a visit to the site of the Basseterre High School (BHS) at Victoria Road recently.

Prime Minister Dr. Drew, who has been a strong advocate for improving the country’s education sector, expressed confidence in the progress of the project, highlighting that the project is on target. “I want to thank especially our local architects who have been part of the initial discussions and the sharing of ideas. These efforts have helped us develop a design that we’ve already presented to the country, and we are well on our way to starting construction in early 2025.”

The Prime Minister emphasized that this project is not just about rebuilding a school but about delivering on a promise made to the citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis. “We made a promise, and we are true to delivering on this promise. This new Basseterre High School will stand as a testament to our commitment to providing our young people with the best education in the best environment,” he added.

Minister of Education Dr. Geoffrey Hanley echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments, acknowledging the challenges faced by students and staff due to the outdated and deteriorating conditions of the old school. “We know the difficulties our students have faced, and the decision to close the previous school was a painful one for all of us. …But I am proud to announce that in 2025, we will begin the construction of the new Basseterre High School, marking a new chapter in education for St. Kitts and Nevis.”

This multi-million-dollar reconstruction project will not only address the urgent need for modern educational facilities but also provide significant economic benefits to the Federation. The project will create numerous job opportunities in construction and related sectors, helping to stimulate the local economy. “This is about providing jobs and advancing our people as well,” said Minister Hanley. “The Basseterre High School construction will provide work for our local contractors, tradespeople, and laborers, giving our citizens the opportunity to be directly involved in building the future of education.”

The new Basseterre High School will feature 32 modern classrooms, equipped to meet the needs of the 21st-century learner. In addition to the classrooms, the school will have dedicated spaces for arts and sciences, including two music rooms, four science laboratories, and six computer labs. An auditorium with a seating capacity of 1,200 persons will provide a space for school events and larger community gatherings. A well-equipped lecture room will also be available for specialized lessons and seminars.

Furthermore, the school’s design will include upgraded sporting facilities that meet international standards, ensuring that students have access to high-quality physical education resources. The new building will also be fully accessible, with ramps and other features that ensure that students with disabilities can navigate the campus safely.

As part of the government’s broader vision for the education sector, this project aligns with their goal of creating modern, safe, and inclusive learning environments that can support the educational growth of the country’s youth. “We are prioritizing the future of our young people,” said Dr. Drew. This new school will help to shape a new generation of leaders, innovators, and critical thinkers.”

Notably, the reconstruction of Basseterre High School is part of a broader strategy of the Drew-led government to overhaul and modernize the educational infrastructure across St. Kitts and Nevis. In addition to the new BHS, the government has committed to improving schools throughout the Federation, with new facilities and upgrades being prioritized in other regions as well.

To learn more about the government’s achievements and successes, visit www.gov.kn/national-accomplishments.