While the Education Ministry may attempt to open all schools for tomorrow's start of the new term, not all of them will remain open since T&T Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) members won't occupy schools where safety is at risk.
The association made this clear yesterday, after claiming the ministry has revealed that repairs have only been completed on 80 out of 142 schools earmarked for repairs and some are still pending.
TTUTA indicated the position via statement yesterday, having met with the ministry last Friday to ascertain the readiness of schools for tomorrow's reopening of the new term.
The association claimed the ministry revealed that due to the late start of the Vacation Repair Programme (VRP), repairs won't be completed on all 142 schools that were earmarked for repairs.
"The Ministry indicated repairs were completed on 80 schools, 43 schools will be completed by September 10 and the remaining schools during the school year. In some instances no repairs have been completed on some of the schools - despite this, the Ministry insisted all schools will reopen on time," TTUTA said.
"TTUTA is extremely disappointed that for another year the VRP has once again began late and there's now a mad scramble to get schools ready for Monday - in many instances, our members met renovations still in progress when they reported for duties."
Teachers coming off the July/August vacation were required to report for duty last Friday, ahead of the new school term. Many of them at the affected schools would have thus seen the extent or work done or lack thereof.
TTUTA noted: "On Monday TTUTA will not allow our members to occupy schools that may place their health and safety at risk. While the Ministry may attempt to open all schools, not all of them may remain open."
TTUTA flagged 11 schools as having issues that may impact negatively on smooth reopening operations.
The association also expressed concern that many schools are also without the necessary official books and forms that are necessary for the schools' operations. These include class and teacher attendance registers, log books, mark books and staff report forms.
TTUTA said the Ministry attributed this to non-availability of funds and impending closure of the financial year and promised to rectify this over the weekend.
11 affected schools
Cedros Anglican Primary
Biche RC Primary
San Fernando Boys' Government Primary
Claxton Bay Junior Anglican
La Lune RC Primary
Rampanalgas RC Primary
Longdenville Presbyterian Primary
Biche Secondary
San Souci RC Primary
ASJA Boys' College, Charlieville
Mayaro Secondary