Accusing the Opposition of spreading "mischievous and deliberate propaganda," Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh has denied that schools in Opposition constituencies are being neglected.
He was speaking at the opening of the $27 million Kanhai Trace Presbyterian School, Barrackpore, on Wedn-esday, which falls in the marginal constituency of Moruga/Tableland.
Saying $165 million has been spent in Opposition constituencies to build and repair schools, Gopeesingh said there was absolutely no discrimination in the distribution of resources.
He said over the past four years, Government spent $600 million to upgrade 850 schools across the country. He explained that 13 Early Childhood Education Centres (ECCE) were built in the ten constituencies held by the Opposition.
"When they say we have not built schools and centres in their areas, it is deliberate and mischievous propaganda that we must not take on," Gopeesingh said.
Saying 110 ECCE centres will be completed by July next year, Gopeesingh said under the PNM's nine years in office only 22 ECCE centres were built.
He said Santa Flora Government Primary, Rose Hill RC, Egypt Village Government, Paramin RC, Point Cumana RC and Belmont Primary Schools were all built in Opposition constituencies so it was unfair for the PNM to talk about discrimination.
Gopeesingh also said the Government planned to create a parenting academy so that parents could become more involved in their children's lives.
He said school-based management had been set up at every school, adding that T&T could now boast of having universal early childhood, primary, secondary education.
Following the function, Gopeesingh opened the St Mary's ECCE Centre at Moruga. Also attending the functions were De Coteau and Presbyterian Reverend Brenda Bullock.