Problems rectified at three schools

All 118 Catholic schools opened for the new academic year on Monday, September 7. But problems emerged at three schools which affected smooth operations.

In an interview on Thursday 10, Catholic Education Board of Management Operations Manager Ayanna Nero stated La Brea RC Primary had to close because of sewer problems. Aripo RC Primary experienced a pipeborne water supply problem, while bats invaded Tamana RC Primary.

Nero said at Aripo, impassable roadway prevented water trucks from delivering a water supply to the school. “Subsequently, the Corporation would have had to come in to do some works on the road which they were able to do yesterday [Wednesday 9].”

At La Brea RC, hours after the school opened, cleaners noticed a sewerage overflow emanating from the visitors’ washrooms and alerted the principal.  The overflow worsened when the wash basins were used and the toilets in the students’ washrooms were flushed.

Classes continued until afternoon and following a report to the authorities, contractors visited the site and assessed the situation. Immediate remedial work began at night. Classes resumed Tuesday 8 with fewer students as parents were notified the same day. Additional work continued after hours on Tuesday 8. Nero stated that the problem has been rectified and classes resumed.

Commenting on Tamana RC, she shared that online classes took place for pupils from May last term. The school opened on Monday 7, but more work was needed to address a bat infestation problem. She said: “The principal was able to successfully get the school sanitised and got reassurance the school could reopen with the promise that works could begin today [Thursday 10] to bat-proof the space”. Nero informed that three air-conditioning units will be installed at Tamana RC to ensure continuity of schooling.

Administrative staff have received their appointments and were installed. They are: Karen Samaroo Luke as principal of Chaguanas RC; Angelique De Mille Serrette as principal of Chickland RC; and Deryck Deane, principal of Caparo RC. — LPG