$2.3B for school upgrades in 8 years
At the start of the school term last week, publicly funded schools were still in need of repair, some more than others. Billions have been spent by successive governments to get the school repair programme right, especially ahead of the re-start of school, but it remains an annual problem.
Last week, Education Minister Nyan Gadsby-Dolly said that not enough money was allocated annually to fix the problem.
Guardian Media Investigations desk examines the budget documents to determine how much the State has spent on schools over the past eight years and the amount still needed to keep them operational.
Joshua Seemungal Senior
Multimedia Journalist
joshua.seemungal@guardian.co.tt
Over an eight-year period, between fiscal years 2016 and 2023, more than $2.3 billion was allocated by the Government on projects to repair or construct primary and secondary schools, according to Guardian Media’s research.
Approximately $815 million was spent under the Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF) and more than $1.2 billion under the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). In addition, more than $300 million was spent under the State Enterprises Investment Programme (SEIP).
Therefore, on average, $287.5 million was spent on schools annually.
There are 453 primary schools and 125 secondary schools in the education system.
Based on the estimated average of $287.5 million allocated to school repairs and construction, and on the number of schools in the country, each school in the country should have received $3.5 million in repair and construction funding between the 2016 and 2023 fiscal years.
Among the projects completed were the Hillview Secondary School ($11.6 million), San Juan Boys and Girls School ($45.9 million), the Chatham Government Primary School ($26.8 million), Belmont Boys’ RC ($3 million), St Augustine Girls’ High School ($49.4 million), Siparia Union Presbyterian Primary School ($43.8 million), Holy Cross College ($43.8 million), Malabar Government Primary School ($37.6 million), and Fanny Village Government Primary School ($52.6 million).
Extensive work, with unconfirmed costs, was performed on Santa Flora Government Primary School (90 per cent complete, with an estimated project cost of $44.3 million) and Marabella Anglican Primary School (92 per cent complete, with an estimated project cost of $38.7 million).
Work also began on several other schools, which are described as being in the early stages. The National Maintenance Training and Security Company Limited (MTS) was handed the portfolio of the Education Facilities Company Limited (EFCL) in 2021.
Between fiscal 2016 and 2023, approximately $69.5 billion was allocated in the national budget to the education sector. The amount spent on repair and construction projects for primary and secondary schools—under the mentioned programmes and funds—represents around five per cent of the ministry’s budget allocation.
On average, for every $1 spent on education, 33 cents have been spent on personnel expenditure (wages, etc), one cent on school construction, and two cents on refurbishing schools.
Secondary School Repair and Construction: For every $1 spent on trying to fix secondary schools, they spent at least 56 cents on construction and 44 cents on refurbishment.
* More than $923 million was spent on repairing or constructing secondary schools.
* More than $519.6 million was spent on refurbishing secondary schools ( 56 per cent)
* More than $403.4 million was spent on constructing secondary schools ( 44 per cent) Primary School Repair and Construction: For every $1 spent on trying to fix primary schools, 55 cents were spent on refurbishing and 45 cents on construction.
* At least $1.1 billion was spent on repairing or constructing primary schools. * More than $604.6 million was spent on refurbishing primary schools (55 per cent) * More than $505 million was spent on primary school construction (45 per cent) In 2016, under the SEIP, a detailed breakdown of costs and completion percentages for school construction projects under the Education Facilities Company Limited (EFCL) was provided. Of 18 listed school projects, the costs of eight were revised upwards at a cumulative increase of more than $460 million.
EFCL Primary School Projects under SEIP 2016:
* La Fillette RC PS – $17.5 million (estimate)
* Lower Morvant GPS – $24.8 million (estimate)
* Malabar GPS – $35.5 million
* New Grant GPS – $23 million
* Paramin RC PS – $25.2 million; revised from $21.9 million
* Romai Trace Govt PS – $36.7 million
* Reform SDMS PS – $36.9 million
* Rousillac SDMS PS – $34.6 million
* Siparia Union Pres – $34.2 million
EFCL Secondary School Projects under SEIP 2016:
* Aranguez North Govt Secondary – $193.1 million; revised from $130.4 million
* Barataria North Govt Secondary – $209.5 million; revised from $149.3 million
* Carapichaima West Govt – $203.8 million; revised from $158.9 million
* Couva West Govt – $292.8 million; revised from $172.8 million
* Five Rivers Govt – $190.3 million; revised from $132.6 million
* Mt Hope – $174.7 million; revised from $144.7 million
* Parvati Girls’ – $153.8 million; revised from $110.9 million
* Pleasantville – $76.7 million; revised from $109 million
* Princes Town East – $179.5 million; revised from $140.6 million
The EFCL
EFCL was incorporated on March 11, 2005, as a wholly owned state enterprise to manage school projects assigned by the Ministry of Education (MOE). The school construction programme was primarily funded under PSIP/IDF and the proceeds of a bond issued by the Government (GORTT) in 2009. The bond was initially for the construction of early childhood centres, but in 2011, the bondholders applied the funding to other schools under construction.
After the SEIP 2016 report was published, another report was not published until 2021, when the functions of the EFCL were handed over to MTS.
The absence of published information on schools being constructed by the EFCL between 2017 and 2020 coincided with allegations of corruption and political interference within EFCL.
The PNM Government, taking office in 2015, accused the People’s Partnership coalition of leaving dozens of unfinished schools behind.
Finance Minister Colm Imbert said that 118 school projects were not completed. Imbert said the Government had a $2.8 billion financial hole to complete the school repairs and construction.
In January 2016, it was reported that a ‘contract millhouse’ was discovered at the company’s Maraval office. It was said that potential evidence of backdated tender documents was discovered.
In August 2016, as reported in the Trinidad Express, then-attorney general Faris Al-Rawi, upon instructions from Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, called an emergency meeting with the directors of EFCL to discuss fair play, honesty, and questionable dealings in the awarding of contracts.
It was reported that the circumstances surrounding the award of contracts to a prominent company for schools in Barrackpore and New Grant were discussed.
Later that month, the company’s board fired five managers following a forensic audit. In June 2017, ahead of a scheduled appearance before a Joint Select Committee, then EFCL chairman Arnold Piggott resigned, citing the protection of his reputation and family name, as well as family commitments.
In December 2017, Piggott eventually appeared before a JSC after initially refusing. Piggott told the JSC that he resigned because of a culture of corruption and mismanagement. He also alleged political interference.
He said that during his 17 months in office, there were four irregularities in the issuance of contracts.
“The details of a bid were caused to be recorded on an EFCL template. The quantity surveyor, I was told, was caused to be typing the information into the computer while the then executive manager was dictating the information from that bid … and that is grossly irregular. We caused a PWC (PriceWaterhouseCoopers) investigation to be prepared, which showed clear breaches in the tender rules,” he said.
“We’re talking about a billion-dollar company where it’s clear, on the basis of the information presented this morning, the tendering process was compromised. The committee is very concerned, and what has emerged is a pattern of malfeasance in public office,” former independent senator David Small said in response.
MTS gets contract
In fiscal 2021, the Ministry of Finance entered into a contract with MTS for the provision of project management services for the completion of construction and outfitting of 27 priority schools. Subsequently, the number of priority schools was reduced from 27 to 24.
The primary and secondary schools included:
St Augustine Girls’ High School
San Juan Boys and Girls
Government Primary Schools
Chatham Government Primary School
Santa Flora Government Primary School
Siparia Union Presbyterian Primary School
Holy Cross College
Marabella Anglican Primary School
Malabar Government Primary School
Fanny Village Government Primary School
Arima Central Secondary School
Barataria North Secondary School
Lower Morvant Government Primary School
St Joseph Secondary
Holy Name Convent
Piccadilly Government Primary School
Ramai Trace SDMS Primary School
Mt Hope Secondary School School
Schools still on the list
Two of the schools present in the 2016 EFCL SEIP document were repeated in the 2023 SEIP MTS list.
1. In 2016, under EFCL, the Barataria North Government Secondary School was listed as 63 per cent completed at an expected cost of $209.5 million. $880,000 was listed as being spent on the project in fiscal 2016. In fiscal 2024, the project was yet to be completed. In fiscal 2018, the school was listed as one of 46 secondary schools to receive works as part of a $20 million allocation under the PSIP. In the 2021, MTS SEIP document, it was stated that construction on the project was set to begin in fiscal 2021, with an estimated fiscal expenditure in 2021 of $166 million. The cost of the project was revised from its 2016 estimate of $209.5 million to $173.7 million. It was then revised upwards in SEIP 2023 to $248 million—more than the original 2016 estimate.
The estimated expenditure for fiscal 2023 on the project was $130.1 million. Yet, in SEIP 2024 documents, the MTS project was reported to be in its ‘initial stage.’ The school has a stigma of violence attached to it.
In February 2023, teachers from the school stayed away from classes at Barataria North after several students were allegedly confronted and beaten by a parent. In June 2024, a 15-year-old Barataria North Secondary student was stabbed multiple times by a fellow student.
2. In the 2016 SEIP, under the EFCL, Mt Hope Secondary School was listed as being 84.5 per cent complete. The project was initially estimated to cost $144.7 million but was revised to $174.7 million. In fiscal 2016, $15.66 million was paid towards its construction.
Five years later, in SEIP 2021, under MTS, the project was described as needing ‘significant structural retrofitting and remedial works.’ The project’s cost was increased from the $174.7 million estimate to $258.2 million.
The estimated expenditure in fiscal 2021 on the project was $246.6 million. It was stated that construction was to commence in fiscal 2021. In SEIP 2023, the project cost was then revised downwards to $219.5 million. There was an estimated expenditure of $131.7 million for fiscal 2023.
Earlier this week, parents of students of Mt Hope Secondary protested about a lack of repairs to the school.
“Do we have to be a prestige school to get repairs? Because I noticed St George’s on the news this morning, their roof partially collapsed, but our roof collapsed, and yet we are still open, our teachers are still teaching, and our kids are in danger,” PTA coordinator Marilyn Marquis said. Marquis, who also attended the school as a child, said nothing much has changed since then.
“I went to this school, and you know the only thing that has changed in the 30-odd years since? The uniform changed and the bathroom is still not working,” she added.
EFCL-related primary school projects
1. The La Fillette RC Primary School: Under the EFCL, in SEIP 2016, was listed as 22 per cent complete.
$100,000 was paid towards the project in fiscal 2016. In 2015, PP Education Minister Tim Gopeesingh turned the sod for the new La Fillette Primary School with a supposed completion date of Easter 2016.
Under the IDF, in 2016, another $104,106 was allocated to construction. The school also received funding for remedial works through the 2018 PSIP. In January 2023, the school did not open for classes because of rodent infestation problems.
2. Lower Morvant Government Primary School: Under the EFCL, in the 2016 SEIP, the school’s project had an estimate of $24.8 million. It was listed as 11 per cent complete, and $200,000 was spent on it under the SEIP in fiscal 2016.
In SEIP 2023, the project cost was revised to $64.3 million. In fiscal 2024, it remains in the development phase, according to SEIP 2024 under MTS. Work ‘began’ in fiscal 2022.
* IDF 2016: $2.43 million spent on the school
* IDF 2018: $178,274 in construction funding
* PSIP 2017: One of eight schools to get $67.4 million in construction funding
* PSIP 2018: listed for remedial works; no cost given $50.8 million in construction funding for fiscal 2022 $36.6 million in funding for fiscal 2023 $47.8 million in funding for fiscal 2024
3. The Malabar Government Primary School under the EFCL in SEIP 2016 had a project cost of $35.5 million. It was listed as 33 per cent complete.
There was a fiscal cost of $160,000 in fiscal 2016. Eight years after being listed as 33 per cent complete, the school was listed as 99 per cent complete under SEIP 2023 and SEIP 2024.
* IDF 2016: $829,910
* IDF 2017: $57,000
* PSIP 2017: Roofing and plumbing works—one of 8 schools to share $67.4 million in construction funding 2017: listed as 50 per cent complete
* PSIP 2018: remedial works; no cost
* SEIP 2023: Project cost listed as $38.6 million
* $5.3 million in funding in fiscal 2022
4. The New Grant Government Primary School in SEIP 2016 had a project cost of $23 million and was listed as 96 per cent complete. There was a fiscal 2016 cost of $2.1 million. The new school was opened by the PP government in August 2015.
* 2016: School construction contract flagged by Government under EFCL
* IDF 2018: $466,476
* IDF 2020: $101,373
* IDF 2021: $106,867
* 2023: Part of a $600,000 settlement with contracts for two school projects
5. Paramin Roman Catholic Primary School in SEIP 2016 had a project cost of $25.2 million, revised from $21.9 million. It was listed as 99 per cent complete with a fiscal 2016 cost of $3.7 million. The school was opened in 2015 by the PP government.
* IDB 2016: $88,212
* Emergency repairs in fiscal 2018; no cost given
6. Ramai Trace Government Primary School in SEIP 2016 had a project cost of $36.7 million. It was listed as 36 per cent complete, with a 2016 fiscal spend of $6.39 million. By May 2019, the school was described as 90 per cent complete, but the new structure was abandoned. In December 2023, the school was opened at a quoted cost of $24 million.
* IDF 2016: $1.8 million in repairs
* PSIP 2017: One of eight schools to get a total refurbishment allocation of $67.4 million
* IDF 2018 – $4.97 million in repairs SEIP 2022 – The project involves structural and remedial works; the estimated project cost of $39.7 million. The report says construction to begin in fiscal 2022.
* SEIP 2023 – $15.5 million for fiscal 2023
7. Reform SDMS Primary School in SEIP 2016 had an estimated project cost of $36.9 million. The project was listed as 33 per cent complete, with a fiscal 2016 cost of $6.42 million. The PP government, that year, claimed the school was 85 per cent complete. Despite construction on the project starting in April 2024, as of December 2023, the school remained closed with the structure abandoned. No work has been done on the school since 2015.
8. Rousillac SDMS Primary School in SEIP 2016 had an estimated project cost of $34.6 million. The project was listed as 51 per cent complete, with a fiscal 2016 cost of $200,000. In early 2020, parents protested, demanding the school construction be completed. $10 million was spent to complete works under IDF 2020.
9. Siparia Union Presbyterian Primary in SEIP 2016 had an estimated cost of $34.2 million. It was listed as 10 per cent complete, with a fiscal 2016 cost of $200,000. The school was handed over in August 2021. In SEIP 2023, under MTS, the estimated cost of the project was listed as $43.4 million. Fiscal 2022 expenditure was $11.6 million and the project was listed as 98% complete. The school was listed as 99 per cent complete in SEIP 2024.
* PSIP 2018 – emergency works; no cost
EFCL-Related Secondary School Projects
1. The Aranguez North Government Secondary School project, under SEIP 2016, was estimated to be $193.1 million; revised from $130.4 million. It was listed as 97.9 per cent complete, with $13.68 million paid in fiscal 2016. The school was opened in 2019 under former education minister Anthony Garcia.
* One of 47 secondary schools repaired for a cumulative cost of $26.9 million
* One of 56 secondary schools repaired for a cumulative cost of $30 million
2. The Carapichaima West Government project, under SEIP 2016, was valued at $203.8 million; revised from $158.9 million. The project was listed as 81.1 per cent complete, with a fiscal 2016 cost $18.89 million. As of today, the school project remains incomplete.
* December 2022 – Students of forms one to three are forced to stay at home for the first week of the new term because of electrical issues. Fire inspector closed off the block.
* January 2023 – School remains closed due to incomplete infrastructural works.
* June 2024 – Teachers leave classes because of a mosquito infestation. There were reports of stagnant water, where mosquitoes breed, was discovered inside the incomplete school construction site.
3. The Couva West Government, under SEIP 2016, was estimated to be $292.8 million; revised from $172.8 million. It was listed as 99 per cent complete, with a fiscal 2016 cost of $11.3 million.
* PSIP 2018 – One of 46 secondary schools repaired for a total cost of $20 million
* October 2019 – School closed for the new academic term because of infrastructural issues in the new building.
* January 2020 – Parents of school students protest. They claim the school has had infrastructural issues since 2013.
* January 2020 – “The fact is unusual for a school to be fraught with so many problems, especially a school that is only six years old” – Anthony Garcia
* June 2020 – Part of the school ceiling collapses
* March 2023 – Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh called for repairs to mouldy classrooms, leaking ceilings, and other infrastructural issues. He described the school as largely uninhabitable.
4. The Five Rivers Government Secondary project, under SEIP 2016, was estimated to cost $190.3 million; revised from $132.6 million. It was listed as 95.6 per cent complete with a fiscal 2016 spend of $14.92 million. The new school opened in October 2015.
* PSIP 2018 – One of 46 secondary schools repaired at a total cumulative cost of $20 million
* PSIP 2024 – One of 56 secondary schools repaired at a total cumulative cost of $30 million
5. The Parvati Girls’ Secondary project, under SEIP 2016, was projected to cost $153.8 million; revised from $110.9 million. It was listed as 60 per cent complete, with a fiscal 2016 bill of $29.58 million. The school remains incomplete, to this day, with the new building abandoned. Former education minister Anthony Garcia said, while he was in office, that the ministry paid $85 million towards the project.
* In 2013, former PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar turned the sod to begin construction on the Penal Education Centre, which was designed to house Parvati Girls.
* In 2015, the school was reported to be at 90 per cent completion by the PP government.
6. The Princes Town East project, under SEIP 2016, was projected to cost $179.5 million; revised from $140.6 million. It was listed as 98 per cent complete, with a 2016 fiscal cost of $18.89 million. The new school opened in August 2015.
* July 2018 – New students are forced to sit in corridors because classrooms had malfunctioning air conditioners for two years. Some of the classroom ceilings are reported to have collapsed.
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