THE Inter-disciplinary Child Development Centre accessed by socially and physically challenged minors and their families have not been properly utilised since 2018.
Member of Parliament for Couva South, the constituency in which the centre is established is calling for Government to step up and have the centre resume operations.
In a press release on Friday, Indarsingh said he is hoping the centre will get the attention of Minister of Social Development and Family Services Donna Cox.
He stated that the centre was a critical and necessary resource for the minors and their families having been operational since 1979 catering for an intake of approximately 60 children inclusive of the nursery and pre-school.
He said, “Since 2018, the nursery has not been opened and several of the 18 established teaching positions have not been filled for years. Since 2020, there has been no new intake of children as per the instructions from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services.
“All other members of staff have been reassigned with the exception of the Centre’s Manager. The teachers currently there have not been able to perform their duties despite being paid, and in most cases are at home.”
Based on the feedback received from parents of children who reside in Couva and environs, the majority of whom were from a vulnerable background and economically challenged, Indarsingh said, constituents would like to know when operations would resume.
“In the circumstances, Minister Donna Cox needs to attend to the future of this Centre in the interest of these children, families who require educational support,” Indarsingh said.
He also had several questions.
Indarsingh asked, “Is it that the PNM government led by Dr Keith Rowley cannot afford to maintain this facility for the vulnerable people of Central Trinidad? Are they trying to build a case for private operation of this facility? Is it that a PNM friend, financier or a relative of a cabinet minister is interested in the land and property that houses the Centre situated at De Gannes Street, Couva?”
Attempts to get in contact with Cox on Friday were unsuccessful.
