Thirty-five schools across Barbados are set to undergo major structural upgrades this summer as the Ministry of Education Transformation launches a wideranging school improvement programme.

Thirteen of them have closed their doors early, ahead of the official summer break, to give contractors a head start on the works. By the time the full holiday period begins, the remaining schools will have been folded into the programme, bringing the total to 35.

Yesterday at Grantley Prescod Memorial Primary School in The Pine, and Deacons Primary School in Deacons, both in St Michael, contractors were on site but no principal or staff members were present at the time a NATION team visited. At Christ Church Girls’ School, the principal was on the compound, but declined to comment on the progress of the works.