Brasso Seco parents to protest outside school

ANGRY at the rundown and dilapidated condition of the Brasso Seco RC School, members of the North Coast Community Council, residents and concerned parents in Paria, plan to protest today outside the school and even keep their children away from classes. President of the North Coast Community Council Owen Charles, told Newsday, that over the years, many calls for the building to be repaired had fallen on deaf ears.

“This school was used as a Church at one time and we have tried to have talks with the Planning Division of the Ministry of Education as well as the Catholic School Board, to fix this school,” Charles said. “And they keep blaming each other saying they are waiting for the other to act,” he added. He said that the school attendance was very small with no more than 60 pupils. However, the size of the school population was irrelevant when it came to dealing with the safety and health of the students and their teachers. Many residents even refer to the school as the “coop,” “monkey cage,” “pen” or “dog coop.”

“We seem to be the forgotten community. Government helping out so many people living in the East/West Corridor but what about us? What about our children?” Charles asked. He said a basic bus service was lacking in the area and roads were in a terrible condition. Children had nowhere to play, residents added. Gail Salim, a concerned parent, told Newsday whenever it rained, children had to watch where they sat in order to avoid being drenched by rainwater falling through numerous holes in the rusted roof of the school building.

“They can’t even play in there, because the flooring boards are old! And sometimes they go underneath the school to play,” Salim said. An old sign outside the building showed the school was established in 1938. “That isn’t true,” said Eppihany Hernandez. “My mother used to go to this school and I am in my sixties.” Teachers in the community said they were afraid to make any comment. The residents also said that the road conditions were terrible and transport was very expensive. Efforts yesterday to speak with Catholic School Board officials and Minister of Education, Hazel Manning, were futile.