By Prior Beharry
THE Parent Teacher Association of the Santa Flora Government Primary School is asking for classes on a rotational basis as physical school reopens tomorrow.
This is because students have been housed temporarily at Beach Camp, a facility of the former Petrotrin company for the past five years as the school is being repaired.
In a letter sent to school principal Ria Dwarika, the PTA outlined a number of reasons why it wanted classes on a rotational basis.
The PTA stated, “The Executive of the PTA, does suggest that an arrangement be made whereby our children can attend school on a rotational basis that will allow all students to access face-to-face classroom instructions.
“Our school has operated under unique circumstances over the past five years and as such a unique plan must be engineered to cater to the needs of our students while at the same time safeguarding their health and well-being.
“In this light, please take note that the parents will be unwilling for their children to resume school on April 19th out of an abundance of caution for their health and safety, and especially if nothing is done to resolve the infrastructural problems that currently exist at our school.”
The Ministry of Education has stated that all schools will be fully opened on April 19, following closure and limited physical classes due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cramped conditions
In the letter dated April 4, the PTA stated that social distancing for students would difficult given the cramped conditions at Beach Camp.
The PTA stated, “We recognise that this has been an issue since the relocation of the school to the Beach Camp Facility due to the limited accommodation available, which prior to Covid-19 posed significant safety risks to the users of the compound.
“Staff and students were crammed into narrow bays, partitioned by gypsum walls, where all walkways were blocked and the free movement of staff and students was greatly impeded by the presence of furniture occupying every vacant space.”
It stated that although, two gypsum partitions were removed to accommodate Secondary Entrance Assessment exams in 2021 and 2022, “there continues to be the unavailability of adequate space to comfortably house the entire staff and student population in a manner that would allow for social distancing to control of the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Limited plug outlets
While one of the ministry’s guidelines for opening is the reduced use of air-conditioners and more fans to promote ventilation, the PTA noted that there was limited plug outlets.
It stated, “Ms Dwarika, you are aware of the poor air circulation in the buildings, and that in the past viral infections had become widespread as several students and staff members suffered from respiratory ailments. Even so with limited floor space and plug outlets, it is highly unlikely that the problem could be solved with the use of fans as that in itself poses a safety risk to the users of the buildings.”
One entrance, exit
Regarding the protocol for handwashing and temperature checks, the PTA stated that there was only one entry and exit to the compound.
It stated, “Thus far there remains one entrance and exit to the compound, monitored by one security guard. The location of the handwashing station at the entrance to the compound, immediately outside the guard booth and in a very narrow space, would lead to the congregation of the students at the gate on morning as this station would have to cater to over two hundred students entering the compound on mornings.
“Thus, we can foresee a further threat to the health and safety of the students especially when the PTSC buses arrive with a large number of students disembarking around the same time.”
The letter signed by the PTA’s president Roger Bradshaw and secretary Sarah Gopaul and was not yet responded too, officials told AZP News.
Minister of Education Nyan Gadsby-Dolly was sent a WhatsApp message asking for a comment to this story.
