Contractors to make school tiles non-slip

The Education Facilities Company Ltd (EFCL), which was responsible for the construction of the Scarborough RC School, is to coat the tiles there with a non-slip finish to prevent future incidents of slipping.

On October 8 the THA Division of Education, Innovation and Energy issued a release saying one teacher and some students had slipped on tiles at the school.

Sources told Newsday Tobago two teachers and five students had fallen on the tiles since the beginning of term. Two children injured their legs and another was taken to the Scarborough General Hospital after hitting his head. One teacher sprained an ankle and is resting at home.

On receiving the report, the Division contacted the contractors, who agreed to remedy the problem as soon as possible.

TT Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA's) Tobago officer Orlando Kerr said on Wednesday that at a meeting with staff of the division on Tuesday evening, he was told the work is expected to be done soon.

“We asked about short-term measures they would have put in place to prevent another slipping incident. They told us they cornered off an area and asked persons not to use that area, but it's children, so I don’t know how effective that would be. We were told by the division the contractors were re-engaged and they would undertake remedial work in the area where the slipping happened. We were also told there is a material they could use to put over the tile that would give it some traction. That is what they are looking it. We are just following to see the results,” Kerr said.

The contractor is expected to cover the tiles with an epoxy-based formula.

Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles briefly told Newsday Tobago on Wednesday afternoon that the agency said there was a defect liability period. He added the contractors and the division’s Public Implementation Unit (PIU) are working through the issues, while the School Supervision Units (SSI) will monitor the situation.