Construction of a new $15 million primaryschool in Long Bay, Providenciales, has officially begun, marking a significantmilestone for education in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Supported by theEuropean Union (EU), the project aims to alleviate overcrowding in schools andprovide state-of-the-art facilities for over 500 students. The first phase,expected to be completed in 18 months, will include classrooms, a library, acomputer lab, and special needs facilities.

During the cornerstone-laying ceremony,dignitaries such as Deputy Governor Anya Williams, EU Ambassador MalgorzataWasilewska, and Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson expressed their gratitudefor the EU’s partnership, which has allocated 17.5 million euros to improveTCI’s education system. Williams highlighted the project's significance as thefirst brand-new primary school in Providenciales in decades, while Wasilewskaemphasized the EU's commitment to fostering resilient, quality education.

The school is designed as a dual-purposefacility, doubling as a hurricane shelter, and features amenities such as earlychildhood classrooms and administrative spaces in its first phase. Phase twowill add an auditorium, sports facilities, and additional classrooms. Localcontractor JaMalCo Limited, led by Jamaine Malcolm, will oversee theconstruction, ensuring the project benefits the local economy.