The Ministry of Education has officially broken ground on the construction of a state-of-the-art Five Islands Primary School, which will serve up to 600 students. However, the school’s proximity to the Cooks Landfill, a site known for hazardous fumes, has raised concerns among residents about potential health and environmental impacts.

While disruptions have lessened, Parliamentary Representative Richard Lewis acknowledged the challenges, stating, “We know the issues that we face in this community, issues that we face at the current location of the Five Islands Primary School. Now that we are bringing the new school closer to the Cooks landfill, we have some work to do in ensuring that we do some work over there environmentally so we can protect particularly our young children,” he stated.

Junior Health Minister Michael Joseph assured attendees that the government is committed to addressing these environmental concerns. “The government of Antigua and Barbuda have invested $2 million at the end of 2024, and a further $1 million will be invested this year to buy the equipment that’s needed to modernize the landfill,” he confirmed.

The $80 million project, funded through a concessional loan from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), has been awarded to local contractor Patrice Luke. Scheduled for completion in 12 to 14 months, the facility will include 19 classrooms, a library, an IT lab, a catering kitchen, counseling spaces, and faculty lounges. Innovative features such as a basketball court and an agricultural program will further enrich students’ educational experience. Additionally, the school’s climate-resilient design includes renewable energy systems and over 40,000 gallons of water storage to withstand natural disasters.

Project Manager Azalea Weston urged the public to exercise caution around the site and adhere to safety protocols as work progresses.

Situated on 10 acres of land, the new facility will include 19 classrooms, a library, an IT lab, a catering kitchen, counseling spaces, faculty lounges, and innovative features such as a basketball court and an agricultural program to foster practical skills. The school’s design prioritizes climate resilience, with durable construction to withstand natural disasters, over 40,000 gallons of water storage, and renewable energy systems.

“This campus and its surrounding institutions are central to our goal of equipping our people, especially our young people, with the tools and opportunities to aspire and to achieve greatness,” remarked Education Minister Daryll Matthew.

The minister also highlighted the potential for future expansion, noting that the land could accommodate an early childhood centre or secondary school if needed. He credited local collaborators, including Chad Knight Alexander, the Jenkins brothers, and the Ministry of Education’s technical team, for their roles in conceptualizing and advancing the project.

The school’s relocation is part of a broader development plan tied to the expansion of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus. UWI FIC Principal Professor Justin Robinson said the school will not only prepare students for a digital age but also ensure they remain grounded in local heritage. “This facility will not only prepare students for a digital age but also ensure they remain grounded in our local heritage.”

Professor Robinson further noted UWI’s partnership with the primary school and outlined plans for collaborative initiatives, including programs to enable students to secure entry into UWI Five Islands after high school. “We have adopted the primary school and we have a very ambitious plan of a number of activities that we are engaging in together,” he said.

One such initiative is a 5K run scheduled for March 31, with proceeds supporting primary school projects and scholarships for students entering UWI.

Despite lingering concerns about the landfill, the new Five Islands Primary School promises to be a transformative development for the community. As Minister Matthew remarked, it represents a critical step toward making Five Islands “the epicentre of educational development in Antigua and Barbuda.”