By the turn of the century, Government expects to have spent $165 million on the upgrading of public school buildings.

A total of $72 million of that amount has already been spent on CedarBridge, the Island's first senior secondary school.

An additional $35 million has been allocated for renovations, including new computers and textbooks, for middle schools.

And despite various delays, work on most of the Island's five new middle schools is on target and within budget, according to Education comptroller Harrichand Sukdeo.

Both Mr. Sukdeo and Education Minister Tim Smith also pointed out that they were not aware of any accidents involving students since work began at the schools.

They attributed this to the safety measures set up around the schools and vigilant security guards.

"The construction areas have been clearly delineated and cordoned off,'' Mr.

Smith said.

"They have made a deliberate effort to keep students away from the construction. In confined areas there are warning signs and temporary barricades.'' "The security guards have been playing a role in making sure children stay away from construction areas,'' added Mr. Sukdeo who brought The Royal Gazette up to date on work carried out so far on middle schools and plans for the next two years.

Explaining that the restructuring has been divided into two phases, he said the first phase is set to be completed by the Fall.

In fact, he noted, work at the Middle School at Sandys and Dellwood Middle School was ahead of schedule.

"In the past two years the existing library has been completely upgraded with all electronics,'' he said of the school in the west end.

"Students have complete access to the Internet, as they do in all middle schools. There are about eight computer terminals in the library.

"The entire complex has new general classrooms and science labs, and the design and technology and family studies areas have been completed.

"Remaining construction work includes a renovated computer area, a music area, dining facilities, a recreation area and an entirely new computer infrastructure.'' The infrastructure, which will be set up in all middle schools by next year, will allow for computer technology throughout the school.

Sandys will also have a state-of-the-art amphitheatre for the performing arts and recreation.

The eye-catching structure was not part of the original renovation plans. But it has become the centre piece of the school.

And Mr. Sukdeo noted that the welcomed addition was within budget.

Plans for Spice Valley Middle School at Middle Road, Warwick have also been slightly changed.

No longer will the facility require fencing as originally expected.

Since the introduction of the middle school concept and security guards, vandalism has been reduced, Mr. Sukdeo said.

"It is remarkable now that we have introduced the middle school concept we have not had major incidents of vandalism,'' he noted.

The school, which has been completely repainted and internal renovations, will undergo major construction in the Fall.

Plans have been submitted to erect a new administration building, new library, specialty classrooms, and a hard-surfaced play area adjoining to the field.

A new library, assembly hall, and classrooms will also be completed at Dellwood this summer.

A renovated family studies area, administration, guidance, and technology area, and the first-year or M1 block -- which was formerly the infants department -- are also set to be completed. Work will start on the music and parking areas next.

Mr. Sukdeo added that due to unanticipated demand for spaces at the centrally-located Dellwood, two portable classrooms will be temporarily set up at the school.

"We anticipate that the portable classrooms will be there for no more than two years,'' he said, adding that two new classroom sections to be built on the site of the current administration building should alleviate the space problem.

Meanwhile, a lack of space will not be a problem at the fairly modern Clearwater Middle School in St. George's.