Guards plan protest

A number of schools have not been repaired and, in addition, MTS guards are threatening to take protest action.

The MTS guards have planned a sickout which could compromise security at the nation’s schools.

Negotiations between MTS management and the security guards’ representative — the Estate Police Association (EPA) — have broken down.

The EPA has been calling for higher salaries, bullet-proof vests and armoured vehicles for guards who conduct cash in transit services.

First vice-president of the EPA, Curtis Robertson, said negotiations broke down after management failed to comply with the proposal submitted.

Meanwhile, a number of persons expressed concern for the safety of children and teachers at schools where violence is common, even with the presence of security.

However, the Education Ministry’s Mervyn Crichlow and MTS yesterday said contingency plans have been put in place to have all locations adequately secured. Crichlow said the plans would be put into effect depending on the scale of the protest.

Concerning those schools remaining closed due to repairs, the ministry yesterday said contractors were employed to upgrade 282 primary and secondary schools at an estimated cost of $95 million during the July-August vacation period. Seven schools were listed as remaining closed as various aspects of repair were yet to be completed.

According to a release, St Francois Girls’ will reopen on Wednesday as Form One students are to register at the school today.

The La Pastora Government School is also scheduled to reopen today although work is continuing on the school’s infant department. A shift system is in place to facilitate the completion of repairs — infants will attend school in the morning while Standard One students attend in the afternoons.

The Education Ministry expressed confidence that thousands of teachers and students returning to schools today would find marked improvements at their schools.

The upgrades, which began during the July-August vacation by the ministry’s Education Facilities Management Division, included structural work, general repairs, repainting, improvements to electrical and sanitation systems as well as the replacement of furniture.