months.

And the project -- at Spice Valley Middle School -- is scheduled to take some two years to complete.

Education Minister Milton Scott said the renovations were necessary as facilities were converted to accommodate the needs of middle school students.

The renovations will involve the construction of additional classrooms, labs and computer rooms.

Works Minister Alex Scott said the Department was currently short listing bids and was expected to select a contractor in the next few weeks.

He said four or five contractors had expressed interest in the project.

"That number is not as robust as usual, but we have to compete for manpower with other large projects,'' Mr. Scott said.

The renovations at Spice Valley will be the last phase of upgrades necessary for the new middle school curriculum. Dellwood, Sandys Secondary and Whitney have all undergone similar work.

Mr. (Alex) Scott said classes would continue as usual as the workers will work around the students.