By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE Ministry of Education’s announcement that schools are closed on Thursday has left many school children stranded.
This is according to Member of Parliament for Tabaquite Anita Haynes.
In a press release issued on Thursday morning, Haynes said, “This morning we have an announcement an hour before classes are scheduled to begin that schools are to remain closed today. By this time, several students were already at school, pushing parents and children into a frenzy.”
She said many parents do not have assistance with childcare and some may have prevented from taking sudden leave off work.
Haynes said, “There’s also the matter of citizens’ travelling schedules. Many parents and children leave home before the sun even rises to get to their destination. An announcement at seven in the morning just goes to show that there is a disconnect between the office holders making decisions and the people who are affected.”
Minister of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly in a brief statement on Facebook at 7.08 am announced the closure of school due to the adverse weather and stated that principals will be issued official documentation on Thursday.
Haynes repeated her call for a proactive approach to treating with school closures in the face of extreme weather concerns.
“It is unacceptable that the MOE continues with short notice impromptu announcements, effectively wasting the time available during which persons can make preparations or adjustments,” she said.
At 9.28 am, the Ministry of Education issued an official press release on the closure of schools after the notice was posted on social media.
The release stated, “Unless a further advisory from the Ministry of Education is issued, schools will re-open tomorrow, Friday, October 7th, 2022, except where clean-up operations continue. The Ministry of Education will continue to monitor updates from the TT Met Service.”
