Tobago Correspondent
All Tobago schools are ready for the new term following a $20 million injection into the school repair programme, THA Education Secretary Zorisha Hackett said yesterday.
However, Minority Leader Kelvon Morris is concerned that work has to continue throughout the term. He deemed it unacceptable.
In a release, the Education, Research and Technology Division said the first phase of the repair programme addressed immediate concerns, while phase two will handle less critical repairs during the term.
The Eco-Industrial Development Company of Tobago (EIDCOT ) managed the School Repair Programme for the second year, focusing on the most urgent repairs based on feedback from principals.
Although some work will continue, the Division assured all 57 schools are set to reopen and said it will keep monitoring and addressing any remaining concerns.
Morris sharply criticised Hackett for the ongoing demobilisation at schools just hours before the new term began. He said the THA failed to prioritise school repairs during the July-August vacation “resulting in contractors still working on some sites.”
He also accused the Division of mismanaging resources, favouring “joy rides” over the educational future of Tobago’s children.
“This secretary needs to stop making excuses because you cannot in one breath say you’re prioritising health and safety issues while in the same vein say that you are delaying other critical works that have to be done to make our children comfortable. We cannot compromise on education, we cannot compromise on children’s future,” Morris said.
“The Secretary is clearly playing smart with foolishness. The fact that she is saying demobilisation is still happening means, in a real sense, that contractors are still on the site of many schools, doing work even hours, mere hours before school reopens, and that is unacceptable.”
Morris said teachers continue to work in unsafe and unsanitary conditions.
He urged Hackett to “stop making excuses and prioritise completing all necessary school repairs” adding that the education and the safety of students and teachers should never be compromised.
TTUTA Tobago officer Bradon Roberts said up to yesterday afternoon the union was clueless about the progress of the repair programme and had not been properly briefed or updated.
He said based on the conditions of the schools, he is prepared to instruct teachers to leave if they have health or safety concerns.
At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, Hackett revealed that some repairs in Tobago schools were delayed. She said the delays were due to a new procurement process and that the issue is not limited to Tobago but is a national challenge.
The National Council of Parent Teacher Associations Inc is calling for better planning of school repairs.
President Walter Stewart said the organisation believes repairs should be completed during the July-August vacation to avoid disrupting the academic year.
“We are of the firm view that school repairs should be properly planned and executed during the vacation period. “However, we understand that there may be constraints and circumstances that could have impacted the completion of all repairs,” he said
Stewart said Tobago regional PTA president Joseph Lindow will visit schools across the island from today to evaluate the situation and the organisation will provide a detailed assessment once these visits are completed.