Public schools across the country reopened their doors today for the new school year, and the Minister of Education, Sonia Parag reported that of the 1,200 nursery, primary and secondary schools in the country, only 1% of those schools were not fully ready for the commencement of the new Academic Year due to ongoing repairs.

However, she assured that alternative arrangements were put in place to ensure all students were able to attend school.

As she visited a number of schools in the city, including the St Joseph’s High School and North Georgetown Secondary School to welcome students and teachers back to the classroom, Minister Parag said there was no need for parents to be alarmed, as 99% of the schools were ready to accept students for the new academic year.

“We were able to have text books in schools; we were able to have dormitories filled with furniture as well as the classrooms. Those who would have needed repair, those who would have needed additional furniture, those were made available. And we ensure that we constantly, engaged with those officials and through the channels that would be able to have the information flowing to us,” the Education Minister said.

Minister Parag said today’s “successful” reopening of school was as a result of the hard work and dedication of the educational and regional officials, and the teachers who worked beyond the call of duty to ensure that the classrooms were ready to welcome students.

However, she acknowledged that in a few cases, repairs and construction were still ongoing at schools including at the Airy Hall Nursery in Region Five and at the Mackenzie High School in Region 10.

Alternative provisions, she said, were put in place to ensure that students are able to attend school.

“No we don’t have delays in the opening of schools, all schools are opened, however, we do have different arrangements for few schools. So, what you are looking at, is about 98% of schools that are reopened and have their students and teachers coming in but you have for example, the Airy Hall Nursery School which is being constructed, there is flat that is being constructed or another level and therefore, there was a consultation that was held with the Regional Officials and parents and teachers of that school for the temporary relocation of the students because we don’t want children to be in an unsafe environment but also don’t want to have disruptions in the learning process,” Minister Parag explained.

She said it is important to ensure that all buildings are safe for both children and teachers but said there was nothing to be alarmed about.

Minister Parag, said throughout the academic year, maintenance work will be carried out as the need arises.

“Now, maintenance is something that all schools need. So while we have our schools in a prepared state for reopening today, we also have maintenance crews that will be working throughout the year to ensure that if a toilet is broken or a door nab is broken or a roof is leaking that we would be able to fix that. So, I say to the nation, just have a bit of patience with us, we are ensuring that we are working for the betterment of all of our children as well as our teachers in the environment in which they are at in school,” Minister Parag said.

President Irfaan Ali also visited a number of schools, including the St Gabriel’s Primary School, to welcome students and teachers back to school.

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