South schools hit by sewer problems

WHILE several schools opened for the new term and the first day of classes in the New Year, at least two schools in the South were affected by sewer problems. There was no start to classes yesterday at the spanking new South Oropouche Government Primary School, since construction of the school’s septic tank is incomplete. This was a major disappointment for students and their parents, as classes had been held at the nearby community centre for the past four years. Instead, the school’s pupils who got an extra day yesterday in their three-week Christmas vacation, will begin classes today in their new building. The pupils were housed at the nearby South Oropouche Community Centre which was often the focus of heated protests by parents who threatened to withhold their children from classes.

Parents had complained that the community centre was not well ventilated and made learning uncomfortable for their children. Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA) President, Indarjit Deonarine, said yesterday that the new building was a great relief. “We are overjoyed our children will be starting school in this new building and all the problems that we had in getting the school opened has been worked out,” Deonarine said. Meanwhile, several pupils and teachers at Orange Field Hindu School fell ill yesterday after being overpowered by the strong stench of raw sewage which leaked from a nearby treatment plant. The principal and teachers were forced to dismiss classes for half-day when pupils began vomiting and complaining of dizziness.

Yesterday, two teachers and a security guard were among those who experienced nausea and headaches. The sewage plant, located about 100 metres at the side of the school’s building, has been malfunctioning repeatedly in the recent past. This has left  raw sewage leaking into drains running alongside the school’s compound. Meantime, in the Victoria county, the Monkey Town Government Primary and the Debe Presbyterian Schools will operate on a single shift simultaneously at the latter school, as the Ministry of Education addresses the problems affecting the Monkey Town school. Transport has been arranged for students to get to the Debe school.