radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
With the physical reopening of schools fast approaching, School Board officials are complaining of a severe shortage of furniture in the classrooms.
Speaking to Guardian Media, the Acting Secretary-General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) Vijay Maharaj said while schools are being thoroughly sanitized, he was concerned three children would be sitting in close proximity on one desk because of furniture shortages.
“We are concerned about putting three children to a desk. But the Ministry is not providing funding and not supplying furniture which is part of the agreement with the Boards,” he said.
He also revealed that he had prohibited students from carrying individual hand sanitisers when the new term opened.
“One of the problems we are having is some of the parents want to send the children to school with sanitisers. I have put a prohibition on that. I don’t want it because these children would come with bottles and they could squirt it on a friend’s face or the chairs. Children will be children. I told the Parents Support Committees to liaise with parents so they could buy sanitisers by the case so we will have sufficient supplies,” Maharaj said.
He lamented that principals were not getting funding for sanitising equipment.
“This is the shortest term, only 13 weeks but we are taking all precautions to safeguard our children. Most of our schools have open doors, the children are not in separate rooms. We have one open space separated by black easels or blackboards,” he explained.
Maharaj added, “I have been informed that the Ministry of Education has told them to put fans in the classroom and avoid air conditions. So our schools will use fans and we will be able to adjust accordingly,” he added.
He noted that all 43 primary schools comprising over 11,000 students will engage in staggered orientation for the Infants which will take place on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Meanwhile, the Presbyterian Primary School Board chairman Vickram Ramlal also complained about the furniture shortage.
Noting that work was continuing apace to ensure all schools are thoroughly sanitised and clean, Ramlal said, “The Board along with Principals are carrying out minor repairs such as painting, termite treatment and repairs to furniture. Principals are also providing signage and other infrastructure for adhering to the entry protocols,” he said.
Like the SDMS schools, orientation is ongoing for the first year and second-year students who have never attended physical school.
“Unfortunately, there are challenges such as a dire need for furniture in almost all our schools,” Ramlal said.
He added, “There are many Presbyterian Primary schools still waiting on the Ministry through MTS to carry out critical repair work. These Presbyterian Primary Schools include Plum Mitan, Felicity, Esperanza, Arima, Harmony Hall, Riversdale, Jordan Hill, Hermitage, Grant Memorial and Siparia Road.”
“In some instances, reopening can be affected if the repair work is not carried out. We are thankful some schools have had repairs and renovations completed and look forward to having the rest done.
Ramlal said for the past two years, schools have not received Direct Funding and Maintenance Grant.
He noted that while the Ministry has provided cleaning materials, thermometres were needed.
Meanwhile, the chief executive officer of the Roman Catholic Sharon Mangroo said the majority of its 108 schools were ready.
She said five schools were not ready, noting that space requirements needed clarification by the Ministry.
She noted that the six secondary schools managed by the Board were ready for reopening but one school, which she did not name, will not reopen because of sewer and plumbing issues.
