Rosary Boys to remain at home

The school was closed last week to facilitate spraying of the school compound, because of an infestation of roaches, rats and problems with pigeon droppings. Parents have also expressed concern about the school’s location and are calling for it to be relocated.

One parent, Martin De Silva, told Newsday yesterday that parents met on Thursday evening and took the decision. He said “we want a meeting with officials of the ministries of Education and Health, the Parish Priest Fr Jason Gordon, members of the Catholic Board of Education and the school administration.”

De Silva said parents wanted specific answers about the spraying exercise, “what type of chemicals and how safe they are and how long can they take care of the problem.”

He said prior to the Easter vacation the school was also sprayed, but the roaches and rats reappeared.

He said parents also wanted the stakeholders to indicate how they were treating with the other issues. Namely the poor physicial infrastructure of the school building, the excessive noise from Park and Charlotte Streets, and the crime situation in the immediate vicinity of the school. Earlier this year there was a shooting outside the school.

He said as a long term solution parents are suggesting it be relocated. Venues are being identified, one of which is a parcel of land opposite the Port-of-Spain General Hospital on Charlotte Street.

De Silva said during the children’s absence from school, parents and teachers have agreed to provide sufficient worksheets for the students to work on at home. Some parents have also offered photocopying services to facilitate the exercise.

De Silva said parents spoke informally to the school supervisor 111 and the principal earlier this week about a meeting with the stakeholders, but they were informed that it was not possible because of the short notice.

He said they indicated the meeting might be held on Tuesday, but they wanted definite answers.

The school has a population of 700 and a staff of about 30.

Efforts to contact the ministry were futile.