May 26, 2006

Minister of Science & Technology, Phillip Paulwell (l.) presents check to PSA President Earl Moore (c)as Evan Thompson, Chairman of the 75th Anniversary Planning Committee looks on.

Kingston, Jamaica-The Government of Jamaica has made good on its pledge to help defray the cost of the expansion of the Science Laboratory. Minister of Science  & Technology, Phillip Paulwell, recently presented a check for J$150,000.00 to the school toward the designated 75th Anniversary project.

The project which was announced at the January 12, 2006 official kick-off of the 75th Anniversary celebrations, is in its formative stages and is estimated to cost in excess of J$35 million. It is the major undertaking as Excelsior embarks on its yearlong celebration of the school’s founding in 1931.

The Minister presented the check to President of the Excelsior Past Student Earl Moore on May 11, 2006, who accepted on behalf of Excelsior. On hand to witness the presentation was Evan Thompson, Chairman of the 75th Anniversary Planning Committee.

In outlining the rationale for the project at a press conference in January Earl Moore had said, “In recognition of the important role of science and technology in promoting national development, and in an effort to help equip students at Excelsior to meet the challenges of a globalize environment, we have decided to undertake a major expansion of the school’s science lab.”

According to reports, the expansion of the science laboratory will include the expansion of the existing labs; double the number of labs from four to eight and the provision of new equipment and storage room. The expanded labs will also include an exhibition room that will be used to display outstanding work by students. A green house/outdoor lab will also be built.

The government’s grant is a welcome fillip to the fundraising effort, but alumni and other organizations will be expected to shoulder the bulk of the responsibility of donating and raising the additional funds that will be necessary to see the project to fruition. It is estimated that construction will be completed in three years.

This story was supplemented with an archival report from the Jamaica Gleaner