Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
A rat infestation and a suspected case of leptospirosis forced the closure of Preysal Government Secondary School yesterday as concerned parents removed their children after rat droppings were discovered in several classrooms.
The Ministry of Education has since dispatched rodent control teams to address the issue, but did not confirm if there was a case of the rodent-borne disease.
Speaking to Guardian Media, parent Faida Ali-Roopsingh expressed frustration, saying she was worried for the children’s safety. She also questioned why the school was allowed to remain open although it was infested with rats.
“Yesterday when I came, the children were saying, ‘Aunty, there are rats in the school.’ In the PTA meeting, I was told they found rat droppings in a few classrooms again. It is sickening,” she said.
When Guardian visited the school, the students were in the multi-purpose hall and sections of the school, including the music area, were cordoned off.
Lawrence Ramnarine, another parent, added, “Rats and pests must have a place to live, but it’s a serious situation when students are sick.”
Around 11.15 am, sanitation supervisor Shawn Singh from the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation arrived with a bag containing bait. Singh said a team became aware of the rodent problem since last week Monday.
“We’ve put down bait in the school. We set down poison twice before, but it seems the rats migrated to another part of the school. We’re here to assess the situation and get rid of all the rats and mice so everyone will have a safe environment,” he said.
When contacted, Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly confirmed that rodent sightings at schools were not uncommon and were addressed as soon as they awere reported.
“From time to time, rodents are sighted at schools. Once this occurs, the school is baited, and if necessary, sanitized, based on where the rodents are seen,” she said.
She added, “On September 18, the school reported sighting two dead rats, the areas were sanitised. The school was baited on the 23rd of September and re-inspected on September 27th. Some areas were cordoned off to prevent student access, to allow for the baiting to take full effect.”
She also said there was no confirmation of students contracting leptospirosis.
“The principal requested a full sanitisation, which will be carried out by a contractor procured. It is expected that this should be completed by Monday, 7th October for the resumption of school. The MOE will continue to liaise with the Regional Corporation to ensure that if additional baiting is required, it will be done,” she added.
President of the T&T Unified Teachers' Association Martin Lum Kin aid a student was hospitalised but there was no confirmation of leptospirosis as they were awaiting test results.