Garcia: ‘Please go to school’

on their own volition...decided that they were going to stay at home.” The minister said, “The absence of our students was felt over the seven education districts...

ranging from Port-of- Spain in the north...on to Victoria in the south.” Garcia said there was 13 to 18 percent attendance by secondary school students and 20 percent attendance by primary school students.

Stating this did not augur well for the education system, Garcia said, “I make an appeal once again to the parents...please send your children to school...it is important that their children take advantage of the education that we are committed to offer.” As he noted, the Education Act stipulates that between five to 12 years of age,a child must be enrolled in school.

Garcia said parents can be held responsible if children in this age group fail to attend school. He added that other efforts are made to encourage children in “the upper age limit” to go to school.

Garcia said the ministry provides free transport and free meals to students to ensure they are able to attend school and receive quality education.

He said Government was grateful to the primary and secondary school teachers who came out “overwhelmingly” after Carnival.