Victory Centre and Cedar Grove Primary Mark Handover of Hydroponics System and Nursery

Students and teachers at Victory Centre and Cedar Grove Primary School are celebrating a new opportunity for hands-on agricultural learning following the installation of a hydroponics system and nursery benefiting both institutions.

A special handover ceremony was held on Tuesday, October 13, at Victory Centre School on Nugent Avenue, marking a milestone in a project that began in 2024.

The initiative has brought the two school communities together to learn about growing food and establish gardens through practical activities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs. Natalya Lawrence of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, United Nations Development Programme (GEF SGP UNDP), reflected on the project’s progress and the challenges encountered along the way.

“The teachers and children remained excited, Mr. Thomas and his team remained alert, ready to spring into action at the appointed time, and on our side, two agencies came together and worked out a way to get the funds to the schools,” Lawrence said.

She explained that a planning meeting involving key stakeholders took place in September 2025 to organise the project activities.

“Here we are today: Two schools, two sets of children and teachers who have worked together, learnt together and created two beautiful gardens, grown with their hands,” she added.

The ceremony brought together representatives from agriculture, education and development organisations. Among those attending were Acting Director of Agriculture Ms. Maudvere Bradford; Education Officer for Agricultural Science Ms. Nicolette Francis; and Mr. Craig Thomas, IICA National Specialist for Antigua and Barbuda.

Victory Centre Principal Ms. Jahmorla James-Francis and Cedar Grove Primary Principal Ms. Anthea Anthony also participated in the occasion.

Proceedings opened with a prayer led by Cedar Grove Primary’s Agricultural Science teacher, followed by welcoming remarks.

Guests later toured the facilities and viewed the hydroponics setup. A ribbon-cutting marked the official opening of the new systems, celebrating the work of the students, teachers and partner organisations that helped bring the project to completion.