Minister: Aneisha’s murder a ‘sorrowful incident’

Manning made her feelings known to reporters during a tour of several schools in Central Trinidad which are undergoing repairs for the start of the new school term on Monday. She expressed her sense of horror at the murder of Simon, 14, who died when a gunman opened fire on a group of youngsters who were practising at the Simple Song panyard.

"That was a very sorrowful incident, moreso as the child was engaged in a positive art form (playing of pan) which is taking place in some 100 schools throughout the country," Manning told Newsday.

She added that the Education ministry was prepared to assist the family after a report is submitted by the Schools Supervisors of that particular division. The shooting incident has also left seven children and two adults wounded.

Meanwhile, Manning announced yesterday that out of the 170 schools in the country listed for repairs and renovation, only eight would not be re-opening on Monday and would instead open on September 12.

Manning said the work of the repair crew and the project management team was "indeed a creditable performance by any standard." The eight schools which will open on September 12 are: St Bridge’s RC, Lower Cumuto Government Primary, Mamoral RC, Tabaquite RC, Hardbargain RC, Sangre Chiquito Presbyterian, Arouca Government and Brasso Seco RC School.

The minister toured the Dow Village Government Primary School yesterday morning where she met with and praised contractors, members of the project management unit and all other officers, for their sense of urgency in ensuring the majority of schools would re-open on Monday.

The cost of repairs to the 170 schools is approximately $82 million. Manning was scheduled to visited four schools yesterday including St Bridge’s RC, Dow Village Government, Carapichaima Junior Secondary (which will be de-shifted in September) and La Pastora Government Primary.

The minister also spoke about the ministry’s request from principals to submit a strategic action plan that would be put into operation so that funds would be allocated to schools on the basis of the proposals submitted. Manning added that this was a new approach to school management, and she touched on pre-school education and said that some 600 such schools would be built by 2010.

On complaints made by Chaguanas MP Manohar Ramsaran that students who wanted to study for their A’ Levels were not finding school places, Manning said the matter would be "closely examined" by the ministry, to see how best the problem could be solved.