Tobago: 57 schools ready for new academic term, despite ongoing construction

Tobago: After undergoing construction or repair, all 57 schools in Tobago are now prepared for the new academic term. The government has allocated a total of $20 million to meet these institutions’ requirements through the school repair programme.

While shedding light on the construction of the work, the Education, Research and Technology Division noted that the first phase of the repair work has been completed.

They noted that the most important and urgent issues had been addressed in Phase One, and now they will be looking after the less critical issues during the term.

The School Repair Programme is being managed by the Eco-Industrial Development Company of Tobago (EIDCOT), which has prioritized the safety and security of all students and teachers by focusing on the most urgent repairs as per the command given by the principals of the respective Schools.

THA Education Secretary Zorisha Hackett noted that, though the repair work will continue, all 57 schools are still ready to open. She noted that the authorities will continue to monitor and address all the remaining concerns, as they are adamant about providing a peaceful and comfortable teaching and learning environment.

On the other hand, the Minority Leader, Kelvon Morris criticized the Education Secretary and stated that they had failed brutally to prioritize school repairs during the July-August vacation. He added that the authorities have mismanaged all the available resources and have neglected the education of the students of Tobago.

Morris continued to say that this education secretary needs to stop making excuses and play smart with her foolishness. He asserted that she cannot in one breath say that they are prioritising health and safety issues while in the same vein say that they are delaying other critical works that have to be done to make the children comfortable.

He stated that the education and the future of children can never be compromised. He added that it is unsafe for students and teachers to work and learn where the critical issues are still needs to be addressed.

Moreover, the TTUTA Tobago officer Bradon Roberts also asserted that they were completely clueless about the progress of the repair programme. He added that he is ready to instruct the teachers to leave if they have health issues or concerns due to the inept conditions of the schools.

While emphasising on this debate, the President Walter Stewart also shared his views and stated that the repairs should have been completed during the July-August vacation to avoid any disruption during the academic year.

He added that the government of Trinidad and Tobago is committed to enhanced learning conditions for the students and that they understand all the constraints and circumstances that could have impacted the completion of all repairs.

Therefore, the Tobago regional PTA president Joseph Lindow will tour all the schools in order to assess the situation and the repairing work left in the school.