Region 2 head teachers lament insanitary conditions at schools

A recent engagement with head teachers in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) has unearthed wide-ranging challenges that extend to the insanitary conditions under which educators work and students receive their education.
The concerns were highlighted by Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, who disclosed that leaking roofs, as well as bee, termite and bat infestations; the need for landfilling and drainage, fencing and repairs to washrooms were among the issues plaguing schools in his district.
Ramdatt specifically identified the challenges of the Reliance Nursery School, where reports surfaced that “snakes usually come into the school compound”.
It was explained that the school requires repairs to solar panels and invertors. Ramdatt observed that once this many issues persist, they would have a negative impact on the school system since the “insanitary” conditions are “unhealthy and unsafe” and would result in a loss of teaching hours.
“Parents and guardians [have] to provide funds to aid in repairs and maintenance,” the Region Two Chairman pointed out.
He stated that the matter has been engaging the RDC whereby it was recommended that a timely intervention be made by the Regional Executive Officer (REO) and the engineering department to address the concerns.
The RDC further noted the absence of a maintenance schedule for schools and their infrastructure, and there was a reactionary approach by the engineering department to complaints and the numerous requests to do repairs and maintenance. The Council further observed that capital and current projects should be implemented during the August vacation and school holidays when staff and students are not in school.