Frustrated parents protested in front of the Mafeking Government Primary School in Mayaro earlier this morning.
Almost a month ago the school was closed because of an electrical problem, but parents complained the authorities were taking too long to fix the problem and reopen the school.
"What would happen to our SEA students? What about end of term test? No online school. We want face-to-face school," were some of the placards parents displayed during the protest that commenced around 7.30 am.
They are calling on the Ministry of Education and school officials to expedite repairs since their children, particularly Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) students, are being deprived of school work. Parent Stacy Dinanath said that the school was closed on October 16 after the meter outside the staffroom began sparking and smoking during school hours.
She said T&TEC removed the meter and has not returned it. "The school closed for a month because of an electrical problem and we getting no answers. They even close down the Whatsapp chat with parents, so we don't know what is happening," she complained. She said the principal told her that a contractor was supposed to be at the school at 10 am today, but they need assurances that the work will be fast-tracked.
Dinanath said some children had online classes for two days, and teachers were not sending work for the children every day. "We are calling for them to get current come back. The SEA exam paper set for the children already and the children home. Nothing in place for the SEA students to have classes."
The school has a student population of approximately 500.