The St Michael’s School for Boys, which was closed by government back in 2018, is about to get a facelift and renamed to the tune of $5.9 million dollars.
The Ministry of Youth Development and National Services, which is now at the helm of such youth facilities, is expected to over the refurbishment exercise, which will see $3million of the fund contributed by Trinidad Generation Unlimited (TGU).
Minister of Youth Development and National Service, Fitzgerald Hinds, recently toured the facility accompanied by Permanent Secretary, Farook Hosein and Deputy Permanent Secretaries, Marcia London-McKellar and Claire Davidson-Williams.
Representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Works and Transport, the Defence Force (TTDF), Diego Martin Regional Corporation, T&T Electricity Commission (T&TEC), the Community-based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) and the Anglican Board, were also present as Hinds inspected the trade instruction block, administrative buildings, classrooms, kitchen and dining facilities, dormitories and laundry facilities.
Hinds said “The collaborative efforts of all stakeholders identified, for the success of this project are critical and urgent. We have a serious work programme ahead of us at the ministry, whose ethos is not to see the youth as a hindrance, but to realise their true potential as co-contributors of sustainable national development.”
Rehabilitative works are anticipated to begin shortly, and will include electrical, plumbing, painting, roof works, landscaping, power washing and other miscellaneous works necessary to enable the ministry to deliver a residential restorative development programme for boys between 12 to 18 years in need of care and supervision.
The ministry it intends to work with all stakeholders to restore the structural integrity and modernise the facility to “positively influence this unique subset of the youth population that are awaiting the completion of this project.”
The rehabilitation of the facility will be overseen by the Defence Force.
The new facility will have a different name and house at least 70 boys.
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