radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
The new academic term started yesterday but not without hiccups for three schools in South, Central and North Trinidad.
While the majority of T&T’s 483 primary and 141 secondary schools reopened, classes were affected at the Princes Town East Secondary School, Carapichaima East Secondary and the St Joseph’s Secondary School in Curepe.
A source at the Princes Town East Secondary school said classes were dismissed after the Education Ministry failed to clean the air-conditioning ducts and install four split AC units as promised at the school.
“There were no classes for all of last term and we are very disappointed that nothing was done,” a parent said.
At the Carapichaima East Secondary, teachers promised not to return to classes unless a pigeon infestation was addressed. A source said the ministry agreed to put up netting to prevent the birds from roosting in the school but this was never done. Students and teachers came out for classes to see some areas covered with feathers and pigeon droppings.
Meanwhile, at the St Joseph Secondary School, members of the Ministry of Education and the Education Facilities Co Limited met with staff members yesterday to discuss ongoing infrastructural upgrades at the school.
Yesterday, president of the T&T Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) Lynley Doodhai said he was disappointed with the slow response of the ministry. Saying there will not be any classes for the rest of the week at the three schools, Doodhai said he hoped the ministry could address the problems as soon as possible.
Doodhai said teachers of Carapichaima East Secondary came to work yesterday and met the school cordoned off with tape. He said the Ministry of Health was expected to do an assessment of the school yesterday.
With regard to the Princes Town East Secondary School, Doodhai said at a meeting on December 19, the ministry agreed to clean the air ducts and install the four split units. He said the school did not have a proper air flow so it was impossible for classes to be held without AC.