Education Minister the Hon. Carl Bethel addressed flooding concerns at Anatol Rodgers High School on Wednesday. He is pictured at a press conference at the school along with Principal Judy Major. (BIS photo/Letisha Henderson)

Nassau , Bahamas -- The Minister of Education the Hon. Carl Bethel Wednesday (September 16, 2009) toured Anatol Rodgers High School, where recent rains have caused flooding at the eastern entrance, making it an inconvenience for children and teachers.

Minister Bethel said at a press conference following the tour that the driveway is a great “inconvenience” and is “unacceptable”. However, he pointed out that the situation is being addressed.

“Inconvenience should not stand in the way of progress,” he said. “The problem is this is in a low lying area and in order to pave properly and have a proper drainage system, 12 deep drainage wells have to be punched. Eight of those wells have been done so far.”

Mr Bethel explained that because of the amount of water that accumulates and floods the area, the work can only be done on weekends.

The Minister noted that necessary design changes to the school led to an “overrun” of approximately $5 million over and above the tendered price.

Solving the financial issues led to delays in the contractor continuing work, Mr Bethel said. He emphasized that this has since been addressed.

During a tour of the Anatol Rodgers High School on Wednesday, the Hon. Carl Bethel, Minister of Education, took time to chat with students in a French class. He is pictured speaking in French to some of the students. (BIS photo/Letisha Henderson)

“The inconvenience was caused by the fact that there were some overruns based on translating a design on paper into a living building for kids. Some changes had to be made. For example, the guidance counselor’s room had no windows so we had to cut windows.”

Despite the inconveniences, Mr Bethel said the school, under the leadership of Mrs Judy Major, administrators and teachers, has done well in external examinations.

He acknowledged the 10^th grade students in the magnet program who received 8 A’s, 12 B’s and a handful of C’s in BGCSE’s subjects of Accounts, Economics and Commerce.

“The academic achievement that this school is setting now is well above average and our aim is to continue to make this school a conducive learning environment, but notwithstanding inconvenience it is a conducive learning environment,” Mr Bethel said.

The south-western high school is located on Faith Avenue and was officially opened in September, 2008, at a cost of over $8.5 million.