Sesame Street show leaves rural school children stranded

The three buses assigned to transport 88 pupils to the Poole River Presbyterian School did not turn up because the Ministry of Education, according to reports, had re-assigned them to transport students to the Sesame Street show currently being featured in North Trinidad.

Yesterday, the school’s principal, Trevor Phillip, confirmed what he described as chaotic and frightening situation for the pupils, saying that they waited all morning at various pick-up points for buses, but to no avail. Three buses have been transporting 88 pupils of the Elswick Presbyterian School, Tableland, to Poole River Presbyterian, after the former school was closed three months ago for construction of a new building.

Nichelle Sookdeo, president of the school’s PTA, said that the pupils were crying and many had to walk back alone to their respective homes on Thursday. Some were picked-up by motorists, but according to Sookdeo, that only worsened their plight.

"With their parents unaware that the buses did not come, the children remained in school (Poole River) late. Some parents provided transportation, but you’re talking about 95 children," Sookdeo said. A Ministry of Education yesterday said it was a last-minute decision to "pull" the buses from the rural areas.