Garcia cries sabotageover clogged school sewers

SABOTAGE has been the cause of clogged sewer lines in several schools since late last year, said Minister of Education Anthony Garcia yesterday as he explained the forced closure of schools because of plumbing problems.

At a news conference at Education Towers on St Vincent Street, Garcia said he learned of the most recent instance from a contractor doing repairs at the Balmain Presbyterian School on Sunday. He said the contractor sent him several photos of discarded bottles, female hygiene products, textbooks, rocks and clothing and believed this was part of a deliberate attempt by individuals to make the government look bad. While he did not elaborate on the ministry’s plans to prevent such incidents, Garcia said the issue has engaged the attention of the government and he intends to work closely with the principals of affected schools.

“There are all sorts of things that were found in the sewers that are not supposed to be there. This would tell us that principals and teachers have a responsibility, as do parents, to give the necessary guidance to their female students in the proper disposal of things. But the important thing is that it is clear to us there are deliberate acts of sabotage by persons to force the closure of schools.”

Using one of the television screens in the conference room to show photos of some of the materials collected from sewers by contractors. Garcia said he had reason to believe the schools were being visited after hours by members of the public who were disposing of the items in the toilets, and said closer monitoring of the washrooms was necessary. He said while some items found may have been a result of careless students, given the nature of other refuse, such as bottles, oil cans and clothing, he had reason to suspect sabotage was at play.

“This is not the first occasion where we brought this to the attention of the media, and I am convinced there are people out there who are adamant to prevent students from accessing an education,” he complained.

Citing similar findings at the St Joseph’s Girls’ Primary School and the Aranguez North Secondary School, Garcia said this was evidence of a larger pattern by the perpetrators.

Chief Education Officer Harrylal Seecharan said the responsibility in such matters fell on the principal to provide and ensure a safe learning environment.