October 21, 2016: The Ministry of Education has appointed a contractor to address all electrical and infrastructural issues at the Mafeking Government Primary School in order to have the school reopened by mid next week.
This was announced on Thursday 20th October, 2016 during a meeting with the staff and parents, following a visit to the school by the Honourable Anthony Garcia, Minister of Education, Dr. the Honourable, Lovell Francis, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and other senior ministry officials. The Honourable Rushton Paray, Member of Parliament for Mayaro also attended the meeting.
Minister Garcia in his address to parents said, “Whatever needs to be done to bring relief to our children we will do it, certain things must be done and must be done expeditiously starting from today and we have given that deadline.” Mr. Garcia also acknowledged the right for parents to protest, however, he asked parents to desist from placing padlocks on school gates and locking out students. He said, “Whenever a child is locked out of a school, that child is deprived of his right to an education. We will not condone that action because it affects the child negatively.”
The contractor commenced works on Thursday night to upgrade the electrical system, replace main distribution panels, change switches and electrical wires and lights. The entire plumbing system was also repaired and all the wash basins and toiled bowls in the sanitary blocks were replaced. Major repairs will be done to address leaks and other problems to the roof.
The parents of students from Mafeking Government Primary School have been keeping their children away from classes since Monday 17th October, 2016 after expressing health and safety concerns due the fluctuation of the electricity supply and infrastructural and sewer problems on the compound.
###
For further information please contact:
The Corporate Communications Division
Ministry of Education
868-628-6769