The Ministry of Education acknowledges the concerns expressed by members of the public as it pertains to the Success/Laventille Secondary School. Concerns have been raised surrounding the physical safety of the students and teachers at the school because of its location within the community. Recognising that the pursuit of a quality education can be hindered if teaching and learning is compromised for fear of safety, the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has decided on a whole government approach in treating with this matter. To begin, the Ministry of Education is continuing discussions with the Ministry of National Security surrounding augmented plans for safety of the school’s compound and wider community for the new school term. The safety of all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago is of paramount importance and all possible interferences with the delivery of education will be expeditiously removed.
The Ministry of Education has, for some time now, through the Laventille/Morvant Schools’ Improvement Project (LMSIP) began a process of changing the dialogue and building bridges between the various communities within the Laventille/Morvant area. One of the challenges faced by many of the schools within the Laventille/Morvant area surrounds boarder issues. At the Ministry and through the Schools’ Improvement Project a focus has been placed on uniting the communities through education. Within the last week, two sporting competitions took place where students from the twenty (20) primary and five (5) secondary schools involved in the LMSIP participated in activities that were completely successful with no issues of safety arising. This shows that there is a way to bring these communities together and it can be done through education.
The Honourable Anthony Garcia, Minister of Education highlighted that, “The calls from citizens to have the school moved are understandable but not a possible solution. This is why the Ministry of Education through projects and programmes and in conjunction with the Ministry of National Security will do everything possible to allay the fears attached to this school. Success/Laventille is an excellent school that has been doing great work and we will do everything in our power to ensure that students are not short changed in their pursuit of education.”
Additionally it should be noted that schools are built in areas after much research and planning has gone into the communities that they will serve. Success/Laventille Secondary is a prime location for students in and out of the community and has served the community well for many years. The ease of access to public transportation, the school’s walking distance for many within the area and the schools proximity to Port Spain has been critical in the continued success of the school. During the vacation period Success/Laventille Secondary School along with Excel Beetham Estate Government Primary School and Movant/Laventille Secondary Success, will also be used as homes to the vacation camps taking place as a part of the Laventille/Morvant Schools’ Improvement Project. During this time the augmented security measures for the new school term will be implemented.