Minister takes blame for school’s condition

Minister Garcia told parents and staff that the Ministry had appointed a contractor to address the issues. Works commenced on Thursday evening, Minister Garcia noted, and tentatively will be completed by Wednesday. Therefore, classes are expected to resume next week.

“Certain works must be done and must be done expeditiously starting from today (Thursday).

We are given a deadline. We have long convoluted process where repairs to schools have to take place. We have to cut short that long convoluted process. We will not tolerate any delays,” Garcia added. Commenting on the protest action of the parents, Minister Garcia acknowledged that it is their right to do so. However, Garcia charged that neither he nor his Ministry will condone the action of putting padlocks on the school’s gates.

Also visiting the school were: Minister in the Education Ministry, Dr Lovell Francis; Member of Parliament for Mayaro, Rushton Paray; and officials from the Ministry including those from the Education Facilities Company Limited (EFCL). Francis explained that if the contractor works “round the clock”, work will finish provisionally tomorrow and classes recommence on Monday. But remedial works would still have to be completed.

MP Paray vowed to ensure that there is a solution to the educational needs in the community.

“As MP, I give the commitment that I will continue to work with the constituents and be the bridge between the community, the minister and the ministry to ensure that you have a say in how this school and system develop.”