BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts – July 1, 2026 – On Wednesday afternoon, Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew led an on-site inspection of the long-awaited new Basseterre High School construction project, pushing back against public rumors of stalled work and showcasing the tangible, rapid progress that has transformed the site over the government’s term in office.
Accompanied by the project’s lead manager Vivake Khan, Drew walked the entire active construction zone, where dozens of local construction workers and specialized technical teams are currently advancing work on what stands as one of the federation’s largest and most consequential public education infrastructure investments in recent decades.
The prime minister’s visit was explicitly scheduled to address growing speculation among members of the public that little to no work had been carried out on the site. In remarks to reporters and stakeholders during the tour, Drew emphasized that he wanted citizens to see the scale of progress firsthand, rather than relying on secondhand claims.
“We have heard repeated claims that nothing is happening at the Basseterre High School site,” Drew noted during the tour. “That is why I came here today: I want every person in our country to see just how much work is actually underway. I believe most people will be genuinely surprised by how far we have come in such a short period.”
Drew drew particular attention to the large local workforce currently employed at the site, framing the project as a win for both education and national employment. “We have dozens of local workers here on site, working alongside international technical experts, and we are incredibly proud that this major public investment is putting paychecks in the pockets of our own citizens,” he said.
For the current Labour Government, the new Basseterre High School is the fulfillment of a decades-old unmet national promise. Drew highlighted that prior administrations allocated $21 million to the project without laying a single foundation block, but in just three and a half years, his government has moved the project to active, large-scale construction. “Walk this site with me, and you will not just see laid blocks – you will see poured concrete, erected structural steel, and locally sourced quarry materials. This is tangible, real progress that cannot be denied,” Drew said.
The prime minister confirmed that his administration will maintain close, regular oversight of the project to ensure it stays on its scheduled completion timeline. Once finished, the new facility will be a fully turnkey, climate-resilient campus designed to withstand the growing threats of extreme weather in the Caribbean. It will come fully equipped with modern learning spaces, state-of-the-art science laboratories, updated digital education technology, and new furniture and equipment, giving students and teaching staff a unified, safe, and innovative environment for learning.
Beyond its core educational benefits, the multi-million-dollar project is delivering sustained economic benefits across Saint Kitts and Nevis. It has created ongoing full-time and part-time employment for local construction workers, and spurred new opportunities for local suppliers and related service sectors, boosting near-term economic activity while building a stronger foundation for the country’s long-term human development.