Although the new school term is due to begin in approximately one month, the school repairs programme which is usually carried out during the July/August vacation period is yet to get underway.
Concerned that delays could hamper the smooth reopening of all primary and secondary schools on September 5, officials of the T&T Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) yesterday confirmed they would be meeting with Education Minister Anthony Garcia tomorrow to discuss this, among other issues.
President of TTUTA, Devanand Sinanan, said they had met with the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Angela Sinaswee-Gervais last Thursday about the matter and that she had given the assurance “things were being put in place to have an intensive four weeks of repairs.”
Sinanan said they were told that contractors had been lined up and the work would be completed within the stipulated time frame.
Asked how many schools had been earmarked to undergo repairs, Sinanan said they were yet to receive a list as they had been told the ministry was still finalising the scope of works.
Asked if TTUTA had received any complaints from teachers seeking representation after the minister announced two weeks ago that investigations were being carried out into the alleged infractions by some teachers in the areas of regularity and punctuality, Sinanan said this issue resided solely with the Teaching Service Commission.
He said the law was quite clear in this regard as there were guidelines pertaining to such issues, but that if TTUTA was asked to provide representation to any aggrieved teacher, “We will do so.”
Ministry officials yesterday declined to comment until after tomorrow’s meeting on when the repairs would begin.
The repairs are to be carried out by the Education Facilities Company Limited (EFCL), which is responsible for all school construction and repairs.
The EFCL was established as a Special Purpose State Enterprise (SPSE) on March 11, 2005, to deliver, repair and maintain educational institutions from the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) level to the primary and secondary levels.
According to its website, “The EFCL uses modern, innovative technology in its operations and aims to deliver all of its projects on time and within cost and specification. EFCL’s mandates are derived from its supporting role in the achievement of the MoE’s strategic goals and objectives.”
Other mandates assigned by the ministry include school repairs and maintenance; furnishing and equipment procurement; textbook rental; health and safety; risk management; monitoring and evaluation.
The current chairman is former Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources minister Arnold Piggott.