Garcia admits some schools’ opening may be delayed

Minister of Education Anthony Garcia
Minister of Education Anthony Garcia

UPDATE:

WHILE efforts are being made to ensure that all schools are ready for the re-opening of the new term in September, Education Minister Anthony Garcia admitted there may be a chance that there may be a delay for some because of damage done during Tuesday’s earthquake.

The 6.9 quake rocked TT and caused extensive damage to some infrastructure including schools.
“Our schools must be in a state of readiness but, more than that our schools must be safe. There are more than 800 schools, and when something like this happens we must pay close attention. We cannot allow our students and teachers to operate in an environment that is not safe.”

He said chief education officer Harrilal Seecharan had provided a list of schools that needed attention and school supervisors were mandated to visit every school in Trinidad to ensure they were safe.

“About 20 structural engineers were going out to schools to determine the extent of the damage. I do not have a report because it is not ready, but a comprehensive report should be ready by the Works Ministry on whether schools were ready. “We did not provide for an earthquake, and during the July-August vacation we were working to ensure that all schools were repaired. We have not had the full implications of the effect of the quake.”

Garcia said he wants to ensure that they did not panic parents and students, but wanted everyone to remain calm.

“There might be some delays, but we want to make sure we minimise those delays.” He admitted that some of the reports he received has caused him some concern.

Seecharan said he could not say from the priority list that was established for visits, what would come back from it. He said in some cases there might be superficial cracks that appeared that did not need immediate attention.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Education Minister Anthony Garcia says the ministry is doing everything possible to ensure that all schools are in a state of readiness, and are safe for the start of the new school term in September.

At a news conference today, Garica said structural engineers were inspecting the schools to determine the extent of damage, if any, after Tuesday's earthquake. Engineers from the Works Ministry were already doing remedial work. He said sometimes they had no control over circumstances that may cause a delay, but ensured that it would be short. He said the emphasis was on safety.

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