By Sue-Ann Wayow

SECONDARY school pupils writing the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and cannot attend the exam due to floods can apply for “compassionate consideration.”

The Ministry of Education, via a media release on Thursday, stated that they can make the application through their principals to the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) Local Registrar.

“The Ministry of Education will forward these requests to CXC Barbados for consideration,” the ministry stated.

CAPE Form Six pupils wrote Caribbean Studies on Thursday, and Communication Studies is scheduled for Friday.

A total of 3,736 candidates from Trinidad and Tobago were registered to sit the Caribbean Studies exam across 82 schools on Thursday.

In instances where candidates were unable to reach their assigned examination centres, arrangements were made to accommodate them at alternative locations closer to their residences. Additionally, candidates who experienced delays due to inclement weather and flooding were allowed to sit the examination upon arrival at their respective centres, despite being late, the ministry stated.

The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government has been coordinating with various regional corporations to assist with transport of school children.

The Ministry of Education also announced the closure of 16 Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) centres, 38 primary and 13 secondary schools across the country due to the prevailing harsh weather conditions as of 1.30 pm on Thursday.

 “This decision follows ongoing consultations with the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) and the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, prioritising the safety and well-being of students, staff and school communities,” the ministry stated.

The ministry also reported that the National Schools Dietary Services Limited (NSDSL) has experienced a temporary disruption to its School Nutrition Program (SNP) meal delivery services as a result of widespread flooding affecting multiple service areas across the island.

Due to restrictions caused by road closures and localised flooding, NSDSL has redirected meals to the following regional corporations which in turn are delivering these meals to affected communities: Penal/Debe Corporation, Tunapuna/Piarco Corporation, Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Corporation.

The ministry stated, “The company is committed to restoring full meal delivery services to affected schools as soon as safety permits. Caterers have been instructed to prepare for a return to regular operations tomorrow, contingent on improvements in the weather and road conditions.”

The NSDSL coordinates the daily delivery of approximately 54,000 breakfast meals and 79,000 lunches to students across more than 800 schools in Trinidad, facilitated by 65 contracted caterers islandwide.

NSDSL is also actively monitoring ongoing weather developments and collaborating closely with local authorities to evaluate access conditions, the release stated.