Most schools reopen throughout TT

The only problems occurred in South, where protests occurred at two schools — the Elswick Presbyterian Primary School in Tableland and the Kanhai Presbyterian Primary School in Barrackpore.

The ministry also pointed out that some schools remained closed yesterday to facilitate the writing of CXC exams by private candidates, which will continue today. Therefore, the Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive, the Princes Town Presbyterian, Scarborough Secondary and Signal Hill Secondary will reopen tomorrow.

However Forms One, Two and Three students at the Tranquillity Government Secondary, Laventille Boys’ Government and Pepper Village Government Primary Schools will continue to remain at home for the remainder of the week. School will resume for them next Monday, January 9. Repairs are being carried out at the latter two schools. Meanwhile, assistant secretary of the Primary Schools Principals’ Association, Trevor Oliver, is calling on the ministry to get its act together and put a programme in place to continually maintain schools. He said too often the ministry is "reactive" rather than having pre-emptive measures in place to deal with maintenance.

Oliver said the ministry had no "timelines or deadlines and they should plan meticulously" to prevent the recurring problems of schools being closed because of repairs.

He also renewed the association’s appeal for a system to allow direct funding to primary schools, especially denominational schools, saying far too often principals’ hands are tied with regard to carrying out minor repairs at the schools.

However, Newsday understands that an agreement was yesterday reached between denominational school boards and the ministry to facilitate speedy repairs at the schools.

Oliver also slammed the ministry for delaying the delivery of computers and furniture to schools. He said some schools ordered furniture months ago and are still awaiting delivery.

Oliver called on the Teaching Service Commission and the ministry to deal swiftly with disciplinary matters and acting appointments. He said some teachers take extended leave and abuse the system and are not being dealt with, while 60-65 percent of principals and vice principals at primary and secondary schools were in acting positions. Oliver said a meeting has been planned with the commission to discuss the problems.