00:00President of the National Parent Teachers Association, Walter Stewart, tells the TV6 Morning Edition
00:06the association has received reports that some school compounds are far from ready for students to return on Monday.
00:15He explains that unlike last year, proper preparations have not been made.
00:21Nothing, simply nothing has been done to date on several schools.
00:25Several schools have reported the scope of works, the maintenance that needs to be effective in order to ready the
00:31school for September.
00:33And several of these schools, simply nothing has been done to date on those schools.
00:37Stewart says health and safety concerns are also being raised as parents prepare for the new term.
00:44The perennial, rat infestation, pigeon infestation, roofing, ceilings, toilets, etc.
00:50Doors in some schools as well. Those are the regular complaints that we are getting from our schools at this
00:58particular time.
00:59He is further taking issue with the late release of school book grants, leaving vulnerable families just five days to
01:07get their children ready.
01:08Additionally, the NPTA head is urging the Ministry of Education to resolve outstanding back pay for teachers, warning that when
01:17educators are frustrated, students ultimately pay the price.
01:21Again, agitation there as well with our teachers.
01:25And we fear, I'm not dog whistling here now, that if these things are not put in place post-haste
01:33or there is some meaningful dialogue, listen, whilst the elephants are fighting, our students are the ones who are suffering
01:40ultimately.
01:41So again, their strong appeal to the government, Minister of Education, meet with tutor, Mr. Crystal Ash and his team,
01:48post-haste, let them know what's going on with their back pay, so that come September 7th, all our teachers
01:54know what the status is.
01:56Nicole M. Romany, TV6 News.
