The Ministry of Education (MOE) and Department of Education Services (DES) today announced that the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre (CIFEC) will continue operations from the Family Life Centre for the remainder of the school term, with plans to relocate to the site previously referred to as the George Hick Campus during the Christmas break. 

“Plans for CIFEC to relocate during the Christmas break will ensure a seamless transition for students and staff while allowing the contractors to finalise all the necessary preparations,” said DES Director Mr Mark Ray. “We are committed to maintaining the quality of education while ensuring that the new space meets all the requirements for occupancy.” 

Significant renovations have been completed at the George Hicks campus. Notably, upgrades to classrooms and other learning spaces, replacement and making good to windows and doors, extensive cleaning and air quality testing and roofing repairs were all undertaken. External painting and walkway canopy repairs are also in the final stages, and work is expected to be finished within the coming week. 

The remaining scope of work includes walkway repairs and painting, for which materials are scheduled to arrive in mid-December. 

CIFEC Director Mr Mark Seerattan praised the collaborative efforts that have sustained continuity of teaching and learning throughout the term. “Our ability to operate from the Family Life Centre has been instrumental to ensuring continued teaching and learning for the past few months. In collaboration with John Gray High School and Superior Auto, we have been able to make strides with our practical TVET subjects, with the aim of continuing at a pace for completion when we move over to our new site. We are so appreciative of their support and continued partnership. I am particularly proud of our students’ maturity and resilience during the term. As a result, there have only been minimal incidents of major conflict despite our operations from a smaller site.”

Premier and Minister for Education, the Honourable Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, expressed pride in CIFEC’s adaptability. “I am pleased to see how the CIFEC family has banded together to ensure a successful Christmas term,” Ms O’Connor-Connolly stated. “The move to their new campus in January will provide even greater opportunities for students to excel and reach their full potential.” 

To learn more about the Department of Education Services and CIFEC, visit https://schools.edu.ky.