Parents and students alike are pleading with the principal of St George’s College to deal with a mice and rat infestation at their temporary Valsayn compound.
Since October 31, 2022, the students and teachers have been functioning from the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) campus in Valsayn to accommodate major renovations at their school in Barataria.
Guardian Media reported that there were initial problems at the temporary location with plumbing and air conditioning because the compound had not been in use for years prior to their occupation.
Now, however, they have rats to deal with too.
“The infestation has caused students to stay away from school,” one student told Guardian Media anonymously. “The rats make me feel sick and disturbed, we’re being forced to come to school where nothing is being done.”
Another student asked, “Doesn’t the Ministry (of Education) know leptospirosis is a thing? It is ridiculous that we have to come to school not knowing if we might get sick from these rats.”
“We aren’t ungrateful for the alternative space. However, we need to be safe and not rodent-infested,” a third student said.
The students sent videos via social media showing rats running in the school’s corridor, sending people scampering.
Guardian Media contacted the school’s Parent Teacher Student’s Association (PTSA) president Enrique Chase, who said they are currently seeking a meeting with the school’s principal.
“We were advised that there was some pest control performed at the school but there’s still an issue they are treating with. We saw the videos and we were in discussions up to this weekend about making contact with the principal to see how we can best handle this situation,” Chase said.
Chase explained that there are tall, unmaintained patches of grass on the eastern side of UTT’s compound that they tried to deal with last year but couldn’t due to heavy rainfall. They will now try again to attend to it.
Chase said they have also not been given an update on when repairs at the school in Barataria will be completed. However, he’s not surprised it is taking this long.
“It is a lot of work. St George’s is an old building and we expect the Ministry and school to do what is necessary for us to have a safe space for our students.”
The PTSA president sought to reiterate that parents are still grateful for the temporary accommodations despite its challenges.
“Anything is better than going back to virtual (classes),” he said.
Guardian Media attempted to contact the school’s principal. The purpose of the call was explained to a school official, who promised the message would be passed on to the principal but up to press time the institution had not responded.
Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly and ministry officials yesterday also did not respond.