Close to 3000 students are likely to benefit from free vision and hearing tests, when government introduces this initiative in 2016 for all children in Grade two, across the island.
Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony said this is prior to the minimum standards test and is mainly geared towards early detection and to ensure the necessary corrective actions are taken.
Meanwhile, government said it plans to continue to pour more resources into the Basic Education Enhancement Project, to ensure that schools are maintained and upgraded.
Some $14.1 million will be spent on completing works that commenced in the past financial year.
Government will spend $6 million to rehabilitate the plant at Corinth Secondary School in Gros Islet.
Two new two new concrete wings will be built, incorporating 9 classrooms, art and music rooms, a Physics laboratory, office space, modern toilets and a covered assembly area.
The school’s sewage system will also be rehabilitated, while the old timber wings will be replaced and parking improvements will be made.
On the other hand, the Clendon Mason Secondary at Dennery will also be upgraded at a cost of $6.9 million.
Eight new classrooms will be built. Four science labs, a covered assembly area, staff common area and offices will also be provided.
Some $4.9 million will also be spent upgrading the Vieux Fort Infant and Fond Assau Combined Schools.
Further, Dr. Anthony said his government will continue with the laptop programme for students in the next academic year. Laptops will therefore be given to the incoming batch of form three students.
In order to assist teachers with maximising these resources for teaching and instruction, ICT training will be provided by that ministry’s IT Unit in collaboration with other agencies.