EDUCATION Minister Maxine Henry-Wilson on Thursday said the government will spend an estimated $700 million to effect repairs to the 350 schools that were damaged during the passage of Hurricane Dean.

“The reports suggest that roofs of buildings accounted for most of the damage sustained,” she said during her back-to-school broadcast Thursday night. “We have developed an inventory of those institutions that need repairs and have initiated a programme for the construction of new schools and expansion of others. In some instances we have focused on provision of critical facilities such as sanitation blocks, canteens, reading rooms, staff facilities etcetera.”

At the same time, Henry-Wilson said the ministry was also working to ensure that schools would be equipped with adequate furniture in time for the new school year. She said a total of 190,000 pieces of furniture were provided over the past two years valued at $586 million.

“Many schools had their new furniture stored in preparation for the new school year,” she said. “With the passing of the hurricane, if there are schools with critical furniture shortage, I ask that they make immediate contact with their regional office and attempt to settle the issue of availability. The shortage of furniture should not be an issue at the opening of this school year.”

As she appealed to parents to ensure that their children are adequately equipped to go back to school, Henry-Wilson said the ministry had done its part in ensuring that sufficient textbooks are available for the island’s students. She said some 700,000 integrated workbooks and textbooks, valued at approximately $300 million, have been ordered for students in grades one to six in all primary, all-age and junior high schools.

The education minister also reiterated that the notion that education can be provided free of cost “is not feasible”.

In addition, she repeated that 11 schools will be taken off the shift system in the upcoming school year, which is scheduled to begin on September 10, and that other schools would revert to a single shift during the course of the year.

She also warned that strong action would be taken against any school at the primary level that charges ‘exorbitant sums’ to hold spaces for children or charge school fees.