MINISTER OF EDUCATION VISITS CONSTRUCTION SITE OF NEW BASSETERRE HIGH SCHOOL AS WORK OFFICIALLY BEGINS
Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 13, 2025 (SKNIS): Minister of Education, the Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, visited the construction site of the new Basseterre High School on Friday, June 13, 2025, where large-scale excavation work is now underway. He was accompanied by Project Manager, Vivake Khan of Imagine Developments and key technical personnel who provided updates on the scope, scale, and status of the project.
The long-anticipated project represents a transformative investment in the nation’s education infrastructure and is expected to significantly boost the local economy by creating jobs and stimulating business activity. Construction is projected to be completed within 18 months.
Dr. Hanley, himself a proud alumnus of the institution, shared that the commencement of the project is both personal and historic.
“Well, of course, the legacy of the old traditional Basseterre High School, many of it would be incorporated in the new concept of the Basseterre High School. In fact, I made it absolutely clear that Basseterre High School was known for its 400-metre track, and I said under no conditions are we taking out the track,” said the deputy prime minister.
He further explained that the new state-of-the-art school will feature an expansive outdoor sports complex with provisions for basketball, netball, and football, in addition to the 400-metre track. The facility will also include enhanced academic features such as a driving simulation lab, more than double the classrooms initially proposed by the previous administration, and a modern auditorium that seats 1,200 people. The auditorium, like other features of the school, has been strategically designed for multipurpose use without disrupting academic activity.
Sustainability has been central to the design and construction of the new facility.
The school will be built with the highest technology, and of course, its own solar plant and water catchments. All of that as it relates to the energy efficiency that we are asking others to get involved in, ensuring that we meet our target with our sustainable island state,” Dr. Hanley stated. “The ventilation, everything, every aspect of the design, the sustainable island state agenda was taken into consideration, so this would be perhaps one of the most climate-smart education facilities in the region.”
Dr. Hanley praised the local contractor leading the project, calling it a proud moment for the Federation. He also expressed gratitude to the public for their patience and reiterated the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises. Minister Hanley stated that the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis prioritised the delivery of the new Basseterre High School, and noted that it was even more heart-warming to know that the contractor for the entire project was a Kittitian.
Project Manager, Vivake Khan echoed the significance of the milestone.
“It’s a pleasure to be here today in Saint Kitts and to be able to start this amazing project for the country and for the people. We know how incredibly important this is to everybody, and we’re deeply grateful to be here,” said Mr. Khan. “Right now, if you look around, you will see that we are starting with our excavation works, stripping all the topsoil and getting rid of all the old vegetation and fill, and preparing to excavate another three feet down for our foundation and structure work. So we look forward to making progress and really delivering an exceptional product.”
The new Basseterre High School stands as a symbol of renewal, legacy, and vision – ensuring that future generations of students will be nurtured in a facility designed for 21st-century education and national pride.
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