Parents protest deplorable state of Ituni Primary School

Jan 13, 2017 News

– selective pupils being taught elsewhere

On Monday, the parents from the small logging community, Ituni, staged a protest over the deplorable state of the primary school in the area.
The school is the Howell Wilson Primary School, but it is more commonly referred

A toilet at the Howell Wilson Primary School.

to as the Ituni Primary School.
On Wednesday, Regional Education Officer, Marcia Paddy, met with the parents and teachers and they reached an agreement, where only the students that would be sitting examinations in the coming months, namely Grades two, four and six would attend school.
The students are being taught in the Ituni Community Library and the Ituni Small Loggers Association building, while the community awaits word of the commencement of the rehabilitation of the school.
The protest on Monday lasted for about seven hours, as parents and some of their children stood in front of the school with placards, some of which read, “Our children are playing hopscotch to climb the stairs, Help!” and “No repair, no school”, among many others.
There have reportedly been countless reports to the Ministry of Education relating to the school being in a deplorable state. However, no response has been given.
Keisha Griffith, the Community’s Development Officer said that the last time repairs were done to the school was about two years ago. She said that this included repainting the school and repairing light bulbs. And although many other issues were raised, nothing was done about it by the Regional Democratic Council, who had repainted and replaced the lighting.
Griffith said that the corridor in front of the school and classrooms is rotten, while the three stairs leading up to the building are all shaking. The toilet facilities remain a huge health concern for parents with only one functioning washroom for an entire school population.
The parents said that complaints were made a year ago about the condition of the school and also before school closed in December 2016, but they did not get any favourable response. The parents said that they have reached a point where protesting seemed their best option.
Chairman for Region Ten, Renis Morian, said that he received reports that the school “walkway” was not stable and has since sent the Region’s Engineer, along with representatives from the Region and the Ministry of Education, and also a contractor to investigate the issues with the school.
Morian also said that the schools were all budgeted for repairs this year especially those schools in the riverine areas like Ituni, Aroaima and Kwakwani. According to him comprehensive works are to be done.

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