St John’s Anglican School parents call for 100-year-old school to be rebuilt

Radhica De Silva

Parents of students at St John’s Anglican School staged a protest on Monday, calling on the Ministry of Education to rebuild their 100-year-old school. This protest follows the implementation of a rotation system a week ago, after part of the school’s roof collapsed last month, leading to the condemnation of the upper floor. Since then, Standard Three students have been attending classes under a shed, exposed to the elements.

Parent Olivia Burke told Guardian Media that the rotation is not an acceptable solution, adding that parents have identified alternative locations for classes. She warned they would keep their children out of school if the Ministry does not meet their demands. “We need a new school. It is dangerous for the children to be here. The school is falling apart. There is no space to accommodate all 135 students, and now we are on a two-week rotation where Standard 1, 2, and 3 students attend school for five days every two weeks. That is unacceptable.”

Burke pointed out that the shed leaves students vulnerable to the weather. “Rain wets them, sun burns them. The roof is falling apart. There are plenty of cracks in the walls and floors, and the ceiling is unsafe,” she said.

Another parent, Krystal Patrick, who has three children at the school, said that efforts to relocate students have stalled despite meetings between the Anglican Board and the Ministry of Education. “We have been told we would be relocated to San Fernando, but nothing has been done. The community centre houses two classrooms,” she explained.

Patrick expressed frustration over the rotation system. “It is not working. My child spends five days at home. They are not learning. The space is frustrating, and it is affecting their mental health. Six classrooms are cramped downstairs. There should have been four. One teacher has to take a class outside, and students have to carry their desks in and out every day,” she lamented. “The Ministry needs to read our letters because this is unsafe. It’s frustrating for both students and teachers.”

Rekha Rajoo, another parent, spoke about the emotional toll on her son. “This is affecting him. Stability and focus are gone. Last month, a piece of wood fell from the ceiling while students were upstairs. They had to run downstairs. The children are afraid for their lives.” Rajoo called for immediate action: “These children are our future. The Ministry needs to put things in place for them. The learning environment is supposed to be safe, but right now, the upstairs is condemned.”

Councillor for Corinth Cedar Hill, Shawn Premchand, expressed his frustration with the situation. “We have been trying to get representation from the Ministry. The education officer is very arrogant, and the principal and staff are uncomfortable. We know $20 million was allocated for school repairs, but not a cent has been allocated to St. John’s Anglican.”

Guardian Media contacted Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly for comment but is still awaiting a response.

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