Fund-raising Underway
THE Sir Arthur Lewis Community College is in need of $5 million for restoration of its existing buildings.
Chairperson of the school’s Board of Directors, Ms. Fortuna Anthony made the announcement yesterday at the press launch for the school’s upcoming gala dinner on Easter Sunday.
“It has been 49 years since any serious, holistic restoration of the buildings has taken place,” Anthony said.
The college will be teaming up with Sandals Resorts International for the dinner which will be held under the patronage of Governor General Dame PearletteLouisy.
The College was established, to provide a place of education offering instruction in agriculture; arts science and general studies; health science; teacher education and educational administration technical education and management studies. It has transformed thousands of Saint Lucians into professionals employed in various fields of endeavours.
Prior to the establishment of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, tertiary education was provided at three separate institutions situated at Morne Fortune, each with a Principal. These institutions were referred to as the Morne Educational Complex and were:
The St. Lucia Teacher’s College” (established in 1963 at Sans Soucis and later transferred to Morne Fortune in 1968; The Morne Fortune Technical College (established at the Morne in 1970) and The St. Lucia ‘A’ Level College” (Established at the Morne in 1974).
“The gala dinner is not the only initiative the College is considering to raise the money needed,” Anthony said, adding that government is also on board in looking at ways in which it could assist in the buildings restoration.
Anthony is calling on all past students, friends of the college, professional organisations and Saint Lucians living in the Diaspora to assist the college in its time of need.
Mauricia Thomas – Francis, the school’s public relations manager promises an evening of live entertainment, cocktails, a three course dinner, Chinese auction and lots of fun.
“This will be a black tie gala event at the Jefferson William Ballroom at the Sandals Grande. Cost of a ticket is $300 per person and $3,000 per table for corporate citizens. There will be lots of fun. Everyone is invited,” she said.
Prior to 1985, when the College was established, the need for the integration of the three educational institutions at the time was recognized and a few initiatives were taken. A Science block was built in 1971 to serve the three institutions. The Library of the University Centre, was absorbed into the Library of the Morne Educational Complex. Certain activities and budgetary aspects of the estimates from the three institutions were identified as common services and a bursar was appointed to administer them.
By 1983, the process of integration was further accelerated with the appointment by the Minster for Education of a Task Force on the Integration of the Morne Educational Complex. The report of the Task Force included a recommendation for the establishment of a Community College, and put forward comprehensive proposals for the development of such a Community College.
Anthony is hopeful that soon the College would offer academic qualifications up to a degree level.