Above: Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño (Photo: OG)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño and San Juan Mayor Jorge Santini have announced plans to build a $22 million bilingual school in San Juan.

The School of San Juan II, which will operate under the local educational system, will be located on the grounds of the old Colegio del Pilar on Avenida Lomas Verdes.

“I’ve spoken with many parents across the island and I have not known anyone who does not want their children to learn more than one language,” Fortuño said. “Bilingualism opens doors and opportunities for our children to excel and succeed in a labour market increasingly competitive and globalized.”

Construction is projected to take two years, with operation set to begin in 2015.

In the first phase, 560 students from kindergarten through fourth grade will attend the school, with the aim of an eventual expansion to 1,120.

Students will come from the School of San Juan 1 and others.

The facility will have 28 regular classrooms and 19 specialized classrooms, including three science labs, three technology labs and a 600-seat auditorium.

“Giving our children a bilingual education is a matter of the present and future of our children,” Fortuño said. “This is what we want for all children in Puerto Rico.”

The total projected investment is $22,193,215, according to the government.