All hands on deck for St George’s College

DESPITE unpredictable weather, parents and staff members of the Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) and alumni of St George’s College, Barataria made their way to the school to assist with ongoing refurbishment efforts.

A member of the alumni, who wished to remain anonymous, said the school’s repair work is an ongoing project and encouraged other parents and past students to join the initiative.

On Saturday, Newsday observed a small group working at the back of the school, where they were painting chairs, grinding and sanding rusty desks and tackling other tasks. Meanwhile, the sound of pan music played in the background as students attended their usual Saturday lessons.

The school has faced a series of challenges in recent years. On October 9, 2022, the school's PTSA announced the school would be physically closed starting October 10, with teaching to be done online.

The closure followed after part of the ceiling near the staff room collapsed. As repairs were underway, students were relocated to the University of Trinidad and Tobago in Valsayn on October 28, 2022.

Days after returning to Barataria in September the school faced another setback when, on September 17, heavy midday rain caused parts to flood. A video posted on social media showed students climbing onto chairs to avoid the rising water.

After the flood, teachers announced plans to stage a walkout on September 18 in protest. An anonymous teacher cited poor drainage near the school hall and roofing issues, particularly in the hall and near the principal's office, as key factors contributing to the flooding.

On the same day, MP for Barataria/San Juan, Saddam Hosein, described the flooding as an “educational disaster,” warning of significant health risks and disruption to students’ learning environments.

Minister of Education, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, acknowledged the challenges posed by flooding during the rainy season but said such issues were not unusual at some schools.

Martin Lum Kin, president of the TT Unified Teachers’ Association, expressed concern over the situation, calling the flooding unacceptable. He argued the school was clearly not ready.

Dionne Cross, president of the PTSA, shared her frustration over the political attention surrounding the issue. While she acknowledged the pressing need to address issues like roof repairs, electrical problems and repainting.

The challenges started earlier in the year. On September 1, the Ministry of Education announced the school would only accommodate form one and two students after officially reopening on August 30, 22 months following its closure.

However, concerns were raised shortly after reopening when videos surfaced showing the school's poor condition. Newsday visited the school on August 30 and found hallways covered in dust, water-soaked chairs piled in corners, and additional chairs stacked inside classrooms.

Hosein shared videos taken during the reopening ceremony, showing desks covered in dust and rat droppings, rusted furniture, and classrooms with cracked and chipped tiles.

St George's College, established 71 years ago, was the first co-ed school in TT. It was also the first school in the country to have a lift and wheelchair access for disabled students. In 2011, it was recognised as one of the country’s top-performing schools, with a 90 per cent pass rate across all disciplines.