Parents who dropped off their children at Newtown Boys’ RC School in Port-of-Spain yesterday continued to express concern that the pupils were sitting on a time bomb due to an electrical problem at the school.
Several parents also urged that the issue be speedily addressed, saying the situation posed a danger to the safety of their children.
One parent who dropped off her Standard One son yesterday said, “I am very concerned about the electrical problem and I really hope this issue be given immediate attention by the authorities.”
Asked if she would continue to send her child to the school, she said there was no need to transfer her child “at this time.”
Another parent, who echoed her sentiments, also called for a speedy resolution to the matter.
He said such problems should have been resolved during the vacation and not when children had to focus on the new school term.
It was reported that a member of the school’s PTA said that during routine servicing of air- conditioning units and replacement of light fixtures over the July/August vacation, burnt out parts and wiring were found, four refrigerators were non-functional, parts of the school lost electrical supply and three of six air conditioning units were damaged, possibly due to an electrical fire. Most of the fans were also not working.
The member said in 2011 the school was reported to have been in need of electrical upgrade.
Contacted yesterday, Education Minister Anthony Garcia gave the assurance the matter was being addressed and would be completed soon.
He said what was required to fix the problem was a three-phase connection to the school.
“The circuits have been overloaded by additional computers and additional equipment that was used in the science and computer areas.
“Additional equipment that was installed caused an overload of the circuits and the school was not wired originally to sustain that increased demand and therefore what was needed was a three-phase connection,” Garcia said.
He said officials at the Education Facilities Company Ltd (EFCL) were notified following which the school was inspected. “We had received a bid of $700,000 from the consultants to this upgrade which we found excessive...that is totally out of the question,” Garcia said.
Regarding concerns of parents and the PTA, the minister said the situation posed no danger to children or teachers.