The plight of Poole RC

The Catholic Education Board of Management (CEBM) is “continuing discussions” with the Ministry of Education on Poole RC.

The over 80 students of Poole have been accommodated at St Therese RC, Naparima Mayaro Road since last September. An assessment by the Design and Engineering department of the Ministry of Works and Transport found the school to be structurally unsound and dangerous for staff and students.

Contacted for an update, the CEBM said talks continue with the Ministry on making the students and staff of Poole RC comfortable while plans are being considered for rebuilding their school.

The CEBM stated that according to the Memorandum of Understanding between the CEBM and the Ministry, the Ministry is responsible for repairs and rebuilding of schools made available to it by the Board.

President of the Poole PTA Natasha Hosein said there are more questions than answers. The transport to St Therese and provision of fans by the Ministry have not materialised. Hosein complained that the Ministry had said it would do these things for the comfort of the children.  The added expense of transportation from Poole to St Therese, which she said is closer to Rio Claro, is frustrating parents.

There was a meeting with the principal, school supervisor, representatives of the CEBM and T&T Unified Teachers’ Association last August. Since then she has been lobbying via letters to have a meeting with the “relevant departments involved in closing the school”. She said the National PTA has also been unsuccessful in getting feedback on Poole RC.   —LPG