Two companies adopt a school in Government scheme

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 9: Two more primary schools have been adopted under the Ministry of Education’s Adopt-a-School initiative.

Overnight Construction has adopted Paget Primary School and Greymane Contracting has adopted Gilbert Institute.

Dame Jennifer Smith, Minister of Education, made the announcement today. She said the initiative was created for reasons of time rather than a lack of Government money.

‘It’s not just a question of money. It’s a question of time,” said the Minister.

“Public Works are charged with the maintenance of Government buildings. They work on a schedule.

“The schools require repairs not according to a schedule.

“Our young people require learning institutions that are not falling down.

“Sometimes a little problem, if not addressed, can turn into a bigger problem.

“We’re looking for people to come and do work in a timely manner.”

Alex DeCouto of Greymane Contracting said: “I don’t think anybody can deny that education is one of the most serious issues we face as a community.

“This was for me an opportunity to directly invest in improving the quality of teaching and learning in a school in the way that I saw fit. “

Sanz ‘Kitty’ Pearman of Overnight Construction said: “It’s pretty simple when we’re talking about putting our money where our mouth is.

“In these turbulent times, $1000 is something, better than nothing.”

He continued: “[As a child] I saw the same way, they doing repairs at my school and that’s where my interest came.

‘That’s where I got my drive, by someone coming to a school to repair.”

Since the Adopt-a-School initiative was announced in December, up to $100,000 has been received in donations.

The project will give schools up to $10,000 per school, per year.

Other participants include Jim Kerwin of Oxford Communications and Rock Media, which have adopted Francis Patton and Harrington Sound.

Former Premier Ewart Brown of Bermuda Health Services and the Brown-Darrell Clinic has adopted Victor Scott Primary and Harrington Sound Primary.

Gerald Burt and his son, Senator David Burt, of Burt Construction have adopted Northlands Primary School.

Anyone interested in adopting a school should contact the Ministry of Education.