Ministry to terminate contract for Micobie Sec. School over delays

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand announced on Thursday that the Ministry of Education is moving to terminate the contract for the construction of the Micobie Secondary School in Region Eight.

Manickchand was speaking at this year’s National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference. Acknowledging challenges faced by contractors like the weather, Manickchand said “Micobie has no legitimate reason in my respectful view.”

Manickchand further detailed other challenges the ministry faces with contractors.

“We have problems with them finishing on time. We have problems with them doing it the way we want it done and where it is necessary. And a lot of this, we’ve been holding hands and trying to get these things [schools] finished,” the Education Minister said.

Additionally: “We send many teachers to teach, and sometimes they don’t do what they’re expected to do,” Manickchand said as it relates to challenges.

She also acknowledged that monitoring and evaluation have been one of the ministry’s weakest areas.

“So I’m saying to you, while I could stand here probably and say, you know that we have transformed education, and we’re seeing that in results, that we have challenges, and there are challenges that you are aware of, some we’re working with you to fix, and some we have to, as I said, terminate the contract and move on,” the minister said.

The sod was turned for the Micobie Secondary School on July 23, 2024. The project was awarded to NK Engineering Services at a value of $253.5 million, with an initial mobilisation payment of $76 million. It was scheduled for completion within six months.

The school once completed, will benefit approximately 150 students.

The Region Eight community had requested a secondary school after the deadly Mahdia dormitory fire in 2023 where 20 children died.