Newly-elected MP for Moruga/Tableland Dr Lovell Francis spent most of his morning yesterday, trying to accommodate displaced pupils of Moruga RC School.
Francis gave up his office at Bois Jean Jean, Moruga, to provide accommodation to 115 pupils who were displaced when their school collapsed on August 10.
In an interview, he said he hoped the pupils would have resumed classes yesterday. However, staff at the Princes Town Regional Corporation were unable to clean and furnish the office on time.
Hoping all the pupils will be accommodated today, Francis said: “I have asked the regional corporation to ensure the office is clean and suitable. I am hoping that everything will be ready for tomorrow (today) so that the students can return to classes.”
Asked where he intended to do his constituency business, he said: “I don’t need an office. I intend to move around my constituency and meet my constituents regularly.”
Francis who won the marginal seat was one of four successful MPs who have not been given a ministerial portfolio.
He added that the former MP Clifton De Coteau used a building at Indian Walk as his main office. Francis said he also planned to use that building to do his work.
“I think that the student’s education is more important than anything else and until their school is rebuilt, they must be accommodated,” he added.
The school has seven teachers and a principal who have agreed to use the constituency office as a temporary building. Pre-fabricated toilets will also be brought in for the pupils.
Officials of the Education Facilities Company Ltd have been working on erecting a pre-fabricated building on the compound of the old school at Gran Chemin.
Moruga was one of 16 schools which were hit with problems at the start of the new term last week.
Most of the schools have since been opened. However, Jordan Hill Presbyterian has been closed indefinitely because of an electrical malfunction while Cap-de-Ville primary remains closed to facilitate ongoing construction.