Even though the Education Ministry is insisting that it had fixed sewer problems at the Preysal Government Primary School, officials said the stench from the “repaired” sewer is posing a threat to the well-being of staff and students.
On Friday, teachers invoked Part 2, Section 6:2 (f) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act which states that employees had a right to “the provision and maintenance of a working environment that is reasonably practicable, safe, without risks to health, and adequate as regards amenities and arrangements for their welfare at work.”
One parent, Seeta Rampersad, said they were concerned that little was being done to alleviate the situation.
“The smell is unbearable. We have officials from the Education Facilities Company Limited (EFCL) coming at the school and saying the sewer fixed, yet we getting this smell, especially when the toilets are flushed. Even a neighbour has complained about the sewer,” she said.
“At this point we do not know whether we should send our children out to school. Next week supposed to be term tests and we do not know whether the students will have school.”
Another parent, who requested anonymity, said she was disappointed at Education Minister Anthony Garcia’s claim that there was nothing wrong with the school.
“Teachers and students are smelling the stink. There was a representative from the EFCL at the school today and he said the problem fixed and major works will be done in August but what will happen to our children in the meantime?” she asked.
In a letter to the schools supervisor, president of the PTA Miranda Mohammed recommended that the ministry relocate the children to the Preysal Community Centre and build a pre-fabricated structure to comfortably house all the children. She also said the ministry should make a proper assessment of the school building and ensure it is habitable for the school year in September 2017.
