UNC MP wants spraying of schools as dengue cases spiral

Senior Multimedia Reporterradhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt

With 11 deaths from dengue and cases continuing to rise, concerns are growing that schools have not been sprayed to eradicate mosquitoes.

Princes Town MP Barry Padarath expressed concern yesterday about the threat of dengue at the official opening of the Sisters Road Anglican School yesterday. He described the event as “political gimmickry.”

“We just witnessed a PR exercise two days before the new school term, and we got no reassurance about dengue,” he said.

Padarath said while he welcomed the opening of the Sisters Road AC School, he was concerned that the students of Princes Town Presbyterian No 1 still don’t have a proper school.

“This is the only school in the country which has been operating on a shift system for over 10 years due to a lack of proper facilities.

“We got the commitment that the school would be constructed in 2019, but children have graduated without ever attending a full day of classes at that school. It is unfair and untenable,” he said.

He also questioned the level of preparedness for the new school term, saying in rural communities like Sisters Road, mosquitoes are rampant and challenged the minister’s announcement that $20 million had been spent on repairs in 200 schools ahead of the new academic year.

“The minister cannot say how many schools have not had repairs, which schools will not be opening and what the contingency plans are for those schools. I want a list of all the schools repaired over the August vacation,” Padarath demanded.

Addressing the dengue outbreak specifically, Padarath called on the minister to take immediate action.

“We have been inundated with calls from constituents asking for fumigation, and there is a high level of concern from parents. These schools were closed for two months. What is the level of preparedness?

“We have seen an eight-year-old child die from dengue. I thought the minister would allay the fears of parents, teachers, and the community,” he said.

In response to the UNC Mp’s concerns yesterday, Gadsby-Dolly confirmed that spraying has been started at several schools and has been ongoing process, along with other preparations for the new school term.

“Schools that requested fumigation have been given priority. I have communicated with the Ministry of Health and they are accommodating the requests,” she said.

The Sisters Road school was built for $6.9 million.

Following that opening, Gadsby-Dolly opened the Holy Cross Anglican Primary School, which was built at a cost of $25 million.

The Ministry of Health confirmed yesterday that there are 1,053 confirmed dengue cases and 11 deaths.

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