Citing a litany of infrastructural woes at denominational schools and violence at two Government-run schools, Education Minister Anthony Garcia has called on school boards to take more responsibility for their schools.
Speaking at the T&T Unified Teachers Association's 37th annual conference of delegates held at Paria Suites in La Romaine yesterday, Garcia said, "If you own the schools, you have the responsibility to ensure that it operates to the best of its ability."
Saying a meeting will be held with the Association of Denominational Schools very early in 2017, Garcia said, "The boards have been doing a fantastic job in our education system but I am not always satisfied with the role of the boards because if you claim ownership of the schools, you cannot stand aside your responsibility."
He explained, "What I have noticed over the last few months is that where schools are experiencing difficulties, the boards seem to demit, expecting the Ministry of Education to pick up the slack in all aspects of its operation."