[UPDATED] 'New' St Joseph Secondary a danger zone

The new St Joseph Secondary School is a no-entry danger zone, at least according to some residents and past students who advised the Newsday against trying to enter the premises, yesterday.

This warning came after there were reports of gunmen terrorising students and staff on Wednesday morning, forcing early dismissal of classes.

The residents described the building, which seems to have been abandoned, as a den for gang members from the nearby "Banga" (Bangladesh). The building is now a mere shell with no windows or doors and most of the roof is missing. The surrounding grounds are overgrown with bushes and vines.

The existing school is in no better shape from what can be seen from outside with vines climbing the burglar proof and moss-covered walls. It has had its share of problems over the years including rat infestation, inadequate supply of electricity, no air-conditioning, dilapidated buildings and poor maintenance.

The new school was being built under the former PP government, but never completed after the present regime won the 2015 general election.

In November, 2015, when asked why the school was not yet opened as promised, Education Minister Anthony Garcia said he was told the contractor was fired in July that year and a new one was hired. He had assured that all efforts would be made to have the new building "up and running in the not too distant future."

One resident, who asked not to be named, said the decimation of the more recent structure has been going on for years.

"Yeah, those fellas from Banga doing their thing for years now. When they now finished the school they put security in there, but when they moved them, the gangs start coming in and using the place. You could see from outside how they thief the galvanise. I don't advise you all to go in there though."

One young lady passing said she was a past student and she, too, said it was unsafe to enter the compound.

A young man, who said he lived in Banga, said he knew of certain residents who used the vacant building as a drug den, and also to hide guns.

"Don't go in there because if you bounce up anybody doing their thing you will get in trouble."

When Newsday asked to speak with the principal of the functioning school, the security said: "No, you can't. They are in a meeting right now."

When asked if the meeting was about the incident the day before, she again said she could not say.

No students or teachers were seen outside on the compound.

Several attempts to contact Garcia and Dr Lovell Francis went straight to voice mail.

This story was originally published with the title "New St Joseph Secondary a danger zone" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

The new St Joseph Secondary School is a no entry zone, at least according to some residents and past students who advised the Newsday against trying to enter the premises.

This warning came after there were reports of gunmen terrorising students and staff on Wednesday morning, forcing early dismissal of classes.

They described the building, which seems to have been abandoned, as a den for gang members from the nearby "Banga" (Bangladesh). The building is now a mere shell with no windows or doors and most of the roof is missing. The surrounding grounds are overgrown with bushes and vines.

The existing school is in no better shape from what can be seen from outside with vines climbing the burglar proof and moss-covered walls. The Newsday was unable to speak with principal who was said to be in a meeting.