Students transfer to healthier schools

Vice President of the school’s Parent Teachers Association, Felisha Isahak, said some parents placed the health and safety of their children above the benefits of remaining in one of the top performing schools of the Caroni district. “They have already started leaving and we expect that more will leave before the start of the next term if nothing is done to solve the problem.” After the PTA staged protests calling for the relocation of the school, Education Minister Anthony Garcia promised that the school would be relocated to the National Enrichment Centre in Carlsen Field “in a matter of days” pending the likely approval from the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services. That approval was denied. Now, the school is back to square one in looking for another temporary location. “It is most unfortunate that we were turned down for the Centre, but it is what it is,” said Menon Boodan, Chairman of the Vedic School Board.

“There is no way we can go back to Montrose because the health of the students and the teachers are our priority.” Menon said that the Board visited various potential sites, including the site of the Divali Nagar and Couva West Secondary. “We expect to get an answer from the NCIC (National Council of Indian Culture) tomorrow.” Even if the NCIC responds positively, however, the site would also need to be approved by the Ministry. With three weeks to go before the close of the school term, however, a quick solution appears unlikely.

Boodan shared that the Board will continue searching for another temporary location while also making strides on their long term plan to build a new school on land that was allocated to them in Petersville, Chaguanas.