Paradise Sun Hotel improves learning environment at Praslin Secondary School |26 July 2017

Students and staff of Praslin Secondary School were delighted to welcome a delegation from the Paradise Sun Hotel last week in their school. Especially delighted as they came to hand over three newly renovated classrooms, inclusive of brand new accessories.

“The idea came after a visit to my son’s class two years ago where I was shocked with the state of the classroom. So that’s when we started discussing how we could help out the school. It was a bit difficult to find a contractor but eventually it was a small contractor, Aubrey Marie, who agreed to take the job. He did a very good job and today we are very satisfied with the outcome,” Irene Bonte of the Paradise Sun Hotel shared.

The work which started in 2015 included internal infrastructural renovation to the floor and walls.  The three rooms are now equipped with new ceiling fans, black and white boards, world maps, clocks, dust bins, tables and chairs.

The official handover was done in a small ceremony in the presence of Paradise Sun Hotel manager Ross Mackay and his delegation, the school management, official from the Ministry of Education, teachers and students.

“The generous support of organisations like yours makes it possible for our school to fulfill our philosophies that encompass a sense of collaboration with community organisations, to provide quality education; in this case in helping to create the social and physical environment conducive for learning,” Michael Antoine, the school’s head teacher, shared as he addressed the attendees with a great sense of gratitude.

“We welcome this very good initiative of the Paradise Sun Hotel and look forward to working together on other future projects. We remain open to other organisations who might wish to come give a hand in improving our school.  In the future, we would like to improve our staff room facilities and also introduce a multimedia room,” Mr Antoine added.

On her part, Odile de Commarmond, principal secretary for education in the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, also expressed the ministry’s gratitude for the donation which comes at a time when they are encouraging public-private partnerships to bring better quality of education to the scholars.

“This donation shall not only help to improve teaching and learning at the school but assist in general human development. I now call on students and staff to take good care of the new facilities,” PS de Commarmond said.

The Paradise Sun team did not go empty handed; they received a token of appreciation from the school.

Text and photos by Nadia Bedier