The Physical Plant Section has the responsibility of coordinating the estates matters i.e. construction of new facilities, schools and cottages: repair to existing facilities in New Providence and the Family Islands, and repairs to satellite offices i.e. Special Services, National Literacy and the Learning Resources Section.
The repair works are undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works by contract or by the General Service arm of the Ministry of Public Works Maintenance Section. A small auxiliary crew was assigned to the Ministry of Education to undertake matters of emergencies i.e. plumbing, carpentry or electrical and masonry.
ESTATES
The estate matters of the Ministry of Education, are shared by several agencies.
- The Ministry of Education identifies works or projects to be executed and prepares the project brief as may be required.
- The Local Government and Ministry of Public Works provide technical
Assistance and supervision of capital projects and undertake the repairs
and maintenance of the Ministry’s properties.
- Local Government is provided with funds for the upkeep and repairs of
school in the Family Islands and School Boards have been established to
do the same at all primary schools in New Providence (with effect from
October 99) except Gambier and Adelaide Primary Schools. School Boards have been established for all high schools in Grand Bahama with effect from October 99. The Chairman of Local Board will identify
The work to be executed and organized its execution.
The ongoing maintenance programme has resulted in our school buildings, cottages and officers being greatly improved. The work of our high School Boards in New Providence and the Local Government authorities in the Family Islands have benefited the school system immensely.
SECURITY SYSTEM
The Security System is managed by two (2) Chief Security Officers who are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the section.
GOAL
The goal of the security system is to provide a safe secured environment for all teachers, students and Ministry of Education personnel; and ensure continuous protection of all Ministry properties.
PROPERTIES
The Ministry of Education has 44 schools in New Providence for which it is required to provide security services. To these must be added:
i. The Headquarters on Thompson Blvd.
ii. The Learning Resources Section
iii. Special Services Section
iv. The University of The West Indies Dormitory Complex
v. National Literacy Services
vi. Testing & Evaluation Section
vii. Programme SURE
viii. Libraries
The Ministry of Education, employs 286 security personnel in New Providence. This number includes 24 Police Officers who have been seconded on trial and deployed at the high schools. The system seeks, as far as personnel would allow, to maintain a three-watch rotation of 8 hours each to cover the schools.
The government has implemented a policy hereby all high schools will be enclosed with concrete boundary walls of 4ft high, containing a steel rail or chain link fencing of 2 ft high. This programme has been effected at 10 of the 13 high schools.
