Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
No classes are taking place at San Juan North Secondary School amid concerns about safety and security at the institution, following a robbery and assault of a staff member last Thursday.
Over the weekend, meetings were held about the security concerns and teachers’ refusal to go back to work until the issues were addressed.
But speaking to Guardian Media yesterday, Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) president Crystal Ashe said an Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) report justified teachers’ refusal to work, as he called for urgent repairs and improved security at the school.
Ashe said a report, dated September 16 and addressed to the Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Simone William, concerned an investigation into the refusal to work at the school, located at 259 D Saddle Road, Barataria.
According to Ashe, an OSHA inspector concluded that the teachers’ refusal was justified under Section 15 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
He said the report identified circumstances that were hazardous or potentially injurious to the health and lives of employees and students.
The findings included problems with sections of the school’s perimeter fencing, including large holes and damaged fencing near the technical and vocational area.
The conditions, he said, raised concerns about the school’s security and the safety of teachers and students.
Ashe confirmed that both teachers and students remained at home, with only the principal and TTUTA representatives attached to the school present.
He said police officers had been assigned to the school when TTUTA representatives visited last Friday, but concerns remained about the level of security and staffing.
He said the association had requested an increase in the security complement, with an agreement reached to move from a ratio of one corporal to five subordinate officers to one corporal to eight officers.
However, Ashe stressed that he could not confirm whether the increase had already been implemented.
He also criticised the pace of the ministry’s response, saying the problems had been ongoing since the previous week.
“This is the second week of school,” Ashe said. “It is taking much too long for things to really get off the ground.”
He said work had begun at the school on Tuesday, but TTUTA remained concerned about the time taken to initiate the repairs.
Ashe said teachers were not demanding that all repairs be completed before returning to school.
Instead, he said they wanted to see evidence that the ministry had begun addressing the problems, including a scope of work and supporting documentation.
He maintained that TTUTA would support teachers returning once there was a clear commitment to addressing the identified hazards.
“The reality is that our children need an education. We have to do what we have to do,” he said.
Four other schools facing problems
The concerns at San Juan North Secondary come as TTUTA also reported problems at four other schools.
At Gloucester Lodge Moravian School in Belmont, Ashe said electrical and sewer issues remained unresolved nearly two weeks after the start of the term.
Ministry personnel visited on the first day and were expected to prepare a scope of work, but repairs had not begun.
At St Hilda’s Primary School in Belmont, teachers reportedly walked off the job on the first day because of a bat infestation.
Ashe said the ministry addressed the problem during the week and teachers and students returned to school.
At South East Port-of-Spain Secondary, teachers have been left without adequate chairs.
Ashe said some were standing while teaching, while others used old furniture or chairs intended for students.
At Morvant/ Laventille Secondary, a section of the perimeter wall had collapsed, leaving the school vulnerable.
Ashe also raised concerns about flooding in the area.
Guardian Media reached out to Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath, but did not get a response up to press time.
