it is the belief of the chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) that a “minimum standard” should be set for schools’ washrooms across the Region, in an effort to resolve numerous issues regarding them, which were recently highlighted by the council.
Morian has expressed some level of disappointment and dissatisfaction, stating that repairs and upgrade for schools’ washrooms were not a part of the Region’s most recent budget. He said visits to some schools in Linden revealed the dire need for improvement in the state of the facilities, including sanitary upkeep.
“We have to come up with a minimum standard for washrooms for all the schools in Region 10… We don’t have a minimum standard. So every school has its own standard. It simply means that these things didn’t enter the budget of Education. Now the Regional Executive Officer (REO) and staff have a big job – where to find these monies,” he stressed. He added this means that the council and the administration, more time needs to be spent within communities to decide on their necessities before preparing the budget.
“The budget must speak to something. Hence when you go to the schools now, we’re faced with the challenge of, ‘how do we fix all these washrooms,” he stressed.
The Regional Chairman went on to state that there is need for a better look at the physical condition of schools in the Region, as he blasted the council’s Education Committee and Department of Education for not fulfilling this task.
He added that schools should be checked at least one week prior to opening, instead of the first day of re-opening, adding that the matter is one of emergency.
Making reference to a recently constructed sanitary block at Muritaro, Morian said due to substandard work by contractors, the facility is already falling apart. He instructed the Education Committee and Department of Education to look within its budget to facilitate a washroom in that school, noting that a “pit toilet” is being utilised.
The Regional Chairman further urged members of the Education Committee to make workable recommendations as he called for a report on the status of schools’ lavatories in the Region.
Additionally, issues regarding regular cleaning of school’s water tanks and roof gutters were also raised by Regional Councillors, who voiced concerns over the quality of water delivered through tanks.
Morian who noted he is tasked with conducting regular checks on roof gutters and the quality of lighting, noted some disappointment at the Amelia’s Ward Primary s
School. He explained that although a contractor was hired to clean the school’s tank it was evidently cleaned internally but not externally. Some Councillors have made calls for such negligent contractors to be penalised accordingly.
