LARA PICKFORD-GORDON Wednesday, September 8 2010

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STILL CLOSED: Newtown Girls' RC School remains closed until Monday....

The National Primary Schools Principals Association (NPSPA) said principals of the Salazar Trace Government Primary and St Patrick South Oropouche RC did follow protocol and alerted the Education Ministry that their schools would not be ready on Monday for the new school term.

“I wish to emphasise the point that in these two cases the principals cannot be held culpable. They followed protocol and informed the district offices of their situation,” said association president Vijay Jagrup.

He said principals are required to fill out a readiness for opening form for their schools and send it to the education district offices which is then dispatched to the Ministry in Port-of-Spain

At a press briefing on Monday, Education Minister Tim Gopeesingh said these schools along with the Princes Town RC and Guaico Government Primary schools did not notify the Ministry that they would be closed.

He said an investigation would take place to find out why this happened.

Jagrup said the association was a little concerned by the “inflammatory statements” made by Gopeesingh.

“I suspect he is not being fully informed. We should only want to advise him to ensure he has all the necessary information before he makes his statements,” Jagrup said.

He said the minister’s statements were disheartening to principals who took time from their holidays to monitor repairs at their schools and report to the authorities.

“They should be commended rather than threatened with disciplinary action,” he said.

Jagrup said repairs were done on the roof of the Salazar Trace School and the school was left in a “total mess”. He said the Education Facilities Company Ltd (EFCL) went to the school yesterday and hired persons from the area to assist with cleaning.

He said the school should open today or tomorrow.

At the South Oropouche RC, EFCL removed all the dilapidated furniture but replacements were not sent in time for the opening of school.

Jagrup sai, furniture was sourced for the Standard Four and Five classes. EFCL visited on Monday and indicated it would get some furniture sent to the school but up to 2.30 pm this had not happened.

Newsday learnt that Guaico Government Primary opened on Monday as expected but strong fumes from painting which was recently done caused the principal to suspend classes.

The Education Ministry’s North Eastern Division office was advised of the principal’s action and a meeting took place with parents on Monday.

The School Supervisor III visited the school on Monday and yesterday.

The Newtown Girls’ and Boys remained closed yesterday. Parents were told classes will resume on Monday for Standard Five students and on Tuesday for the First Years.

Last night the president of the St Augustine Secondary School PTA Reverend Olson Holder says the school would not be opened today due to flooding and lingering paint fumes.