The PTA of Palo Seco Government School is calling on the Government to answer why the findings of air quality tests done by the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (Cariri) have not been made public. It has been three weeks since the tests were done and PTA officials believe the test results are being deliberately withheld.
In a telephone interview, PTA president Raphael Samuel said a source at Cariri told him the institute could not reveal the results of tests on a suspected airborne fungus because the Educational Facilities Company had not paid for their services. Saying innocent children were being victimised, Samuel said the PTA would not allow the safety of students and teachers to be put at risk. "We are hearing that they want to reopen the school before the tests are revealed, but we will not allow this," Samuel said.
Since the fungus was first spotted in the art room last July, a teacher fell severely ill after developing oozing sores. The teacher, who said he was contemplating legal action, has not yet returned to school. He is recuperating at his Siparia home. A female teacher and a clerical worker also tested positive for the fungus which spread from the art room to the female washroom and administrative office.
Acting president of the T&T Unified Teachers Association, Davanand Sinanan, said TTUTA was told the results of the tests would be made public within the next two or three weeks. He said he was not certain why the tests were taking so long, but that TTUTA would look into the matter to see if results were being withheld because of non-payment. Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh could not be reached for comment. Calls to his cellphone went unanswered and he did not respond to text messages.