Questelles Government School Rebuilding to Include Additional Classrooms and Facilities

A photograph featuring the front facade of the school. This image was obtained from BRAGSA.

By S.Browne. Updated 1:42 p.m., Saturday, January 10, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Plans are underway to rebuild and expand the fire-damaged Questelles Government School, with additional classrooms and other facilities to be included.

Roads, Buildings and General Services Authority’s (BRAGSA’s) Chief Executive Officer, Kem Bartholomew, said preliminary assessment indicates that while the roof, which was made of timber, was completely destroyed by the fire, the “front facade which is predominantly a stone wall structure is in good tact.”

In efforts to rebuild a sound structure, Mr. Bartholomew stated that the historic context of the front facade of the building will be kept, while the back will be reinforced with concrete and block works to ensure strength and structural integrity.

Phase One of the rebuilding will restore the fire-damaged classrooms, expanding the school from four to six classrooms. The phase will also include the conversion of a classroom into a permanent kitchen, with the kitchen upgrade specifically funded by the Mustique Charitable Trust.

Phase Two will focus on additional enhancements, including the construction of a staff room on another level and the conversion of another building into a library with the installation of an air-conditioning unit and other amenities.

Upgrades to washrooms and the installation of a shower facility are also planned as part of the overall rebuilding programme.

Mr. Bartholomew explained that construction will take place during school hours, but most of the reinforcement detailing and fabrication will be carried out off-site, and heavy work such as concrete pouring will be scheduled for weekends, holding off work on sections as needed so there is no interface with the school activities.

Mr. Bartholomew added that the redevelopment represents a total enhancement to the Questelles Government School and that BRAGSA is working closely with the principal, the personal secretary of the Ministry of Education, and other relevant personnel to ensure the plans are fully executed.

Currently, students in Grades K–4 have reported to school as usual on Monday, January 5, 2026, while Grades 5 and 6 will continue learning at the Campden Park Community Centre beginning Monday, January 12, 2026. The one-week delay in commencement allows the centre to be fully ready for students.

On the afternoon of Monday, December 29, 2025, a fire engulfed a section of the Questelles Government School, destroying learning spaces for Grades 3 and 4, the school auditorium, and the kitchen/school feeding area, located to the left upon entering the school compound.

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This information was sourced from BRAGSA, the Agency for Public Information and the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Information.