New school building ready after Easter

After days of protests, parents and students of the Penal/Quinam Government Primary School have been assured they would be able to move into their new building after the Easter vacation.

Maranda de Verteuil-Mendoza, president of the Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA), said this assurance was given following a visit to the school on Wednesday by officials from the Education Ministry, as well as the Education Facilities Management Company (EFCL).

De Verteuil-Mendoza said while they would have liked to move in immediately, they were happy for the visit and the answers to their many questions. 

“We were told that because of current incomplete structures within the school, rather than rush to complete the remaining works, this will be done during the Easter vacation and the school would be available for use when the new term begins on April 11.”

For two consecutive days this week, the students and their parents blocked the roads and burned tyres to bring attention to the conditions of their temporary accommodation in eight shipping containers at the Mendez Village Community Centre, while the new building was under construction. 

The parents claim cockroaches, rats and snakes were found at that location and had been keeping their children away.