By Sandra Singh Wednesday, September 5 2007

Parents and students of the La Fillette RC Primary School at Blanchisseusse yesterday staged a stormy protest blocking the La Paria Main Road with old tyres and debris as well as by forming a human barricade in protest against the unavailability of proper accommodation for students at the school.

Chairman of the Parent Teacher Association, Lennox Jordan also made a claim of police brutality saying that one parent was repeatedly “cuffed” by a police officer during the protest action.

Jordan speaking to Newsday yesterday said teachers were forced to abandon classes at the school after the Education Ministry reneged on its promise of providing pre-fabricated structures by September to accommodate approximately two classes comprising of 38 students.

Jordan explained that due to the damage incurred by an earthquake in 2005, part of the school building was condemned. He revealed that classes were therefore held under a mango tree in the school yard in an effort to prevent any disruptions.

He further stated the school’s PTA members met with Education Minister Hazel Manning and ministry officials, Parliamentary Representative Penelope Beckles as well as officials of the Catholic Education Board in January 2007 to discuss the problems at the school which included accommodation, shortage of teachers as well as the construction of a new school.

He added that the PTA agreed to house the students after being given the assurance by the ministry that accommodation would be provided in the form of pre-engineered classrooms which were scheduled to be ready at the start of the new academic year. However, Jordan stated no work was done and the ministry was now trying to get the tendering process started.

Jordan claimed that during the protest police physically confronted a woman who was repeatedly cuffed. “The policemen were very brutal to some members,” stated Jordan. Police sources at the Blanchisseusse Police Station said the protest started at about 7 am with protestors blocking the road with a rail, ladder and an empty water tank.

An officer attached to the charge room at the station said a peaceful protest was held and denied any clashes with the protestors.