For a third day yesterday, parents of pupils attending St Dominic’s RC Primary in Penal again blocked teachers and prevented classes from commencing.
Upset and disappointed that promises by the officials that repairs would have been done at the Penal Community Centre, where the children are housed, over the weekend, did not materialise the parents again turned away teachers and pupils.
Parents have been insisting that the centre is not safe for occupation due to several issues, including overflowing toilets and a collapsing ceiling.
Last Thursday, they blocked the entrance of the centre, and on Friday residents joined with parents and staged a fiery protest.
“They said they would have done some work over the weekend, nothing was done. At least if they came and done something it would have been a little more safe for the children to come out to school. We know our children’s education is important but at the end of the day their safety is also important,” said Sharon Baptiste.
She claimed further parts of the ceiling at the centre collapsed because of heavy overnight showers on Sunday. During their protest, a plain-clothes police officer arrived and opened the gate. Baptiste said they did not obstruct him, but he claimed he was going to call for reinforcements. Instead, a police vehicle with two uniformed officers returned and spoke with protesting parents.
Following an earthquake that damaged the school building, the Standards One to Five pupils were relocated to the community centre while the infants’ department was sent to St Dominic’s RC Church.
When contacted, Catholic Education Board of Management CEO Sharon Mangroo said the ministry was responsible for the repairs.