CARISA LEE
Reporter
Vicar for Education and Chief Executive Officer of the Catholic Education Board of Management (CEBM), Fr. David Khan, hopes that students of St. Patrick’s Newtown Girls’ RC School will not have to go more than one week without school.
An electrical issue forced the all-girls primary school on Maraval Road, Port of Spain, to close last Thursday (January 8, 2026).
“Yes, it is true due to the additionally electrical capacity of the school at present the bottom floor has to be rewired,” Fr. Khan said.
He hopes the work will be completed this week.
Fr. Khan said the problem was only observed last Wednesday and that action was taken immediately. He explained that the advice given was to close the school to facilitate a comprehensive inspection and repairs before asking students to return.
“Safety is always the number one priority,” he said.
Fr. Khan added that the Ministry of Education also was informed of the issue and the closure.
Guardian Media reached out to the Ministry regarding the matter and is awaiting a response.
*This is a developing story*
