Accommodations have been confirmed for students of the St Dominic’s Penal RC Primary School, but stakeholders are protesting this morning asking: when will reconstruction of the school begin?

The Education Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, the school’s Father and Principal, the Regional Corporation and TTUTA held a meeting about the school which was affected by a 2017 earthquake.

Since the quake, students have been housed at a parish hall and community centre – the latter of which now has roof issues.

Corporation Chairman Gowtam Maharaj says three classes would be relocated to the Ramai Trace Hindu School and the Kubairsingh Hindu School in Rock Road, while there are conversations with the Penal Fire Station to accommodate others.

Assurance was also given that the roof of the community centre would be completed by mid-February.

However, this morning, Corporation Vice Chairman Shanty Boodram says there is a protest at Lachoos Road where stakeholders are asking for the Education Ministry to indicate a date for the start of reconstruction of the school.

MINISTER: FOCUS ON ACCOMMODATIONS AT THIS TIME

103.1FM News reached out to the Education Minister via WhatsApp.

Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly said efforts are being focused on interim accommodation arrangements and repairing the roof.

She added that the issue of school reconstruction can be considered subsequently but gave no indication when asked for a timeframe.

PDRC SUPPORTS INTERIM MEASURES AND CALLS FOR RECONSTRUCTION

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation Gowtam Maharaj says the corporation supports the interim measures.

However, he notes that they are also backing calls made for a plan from the Ministry regarding the reconstruction of the school.

He adds that the corporation is also supportive of broader calls for a response on educational institutions, noting that the Shiva Boys and Parvati Girls Hindu Schools remain partially constructed and overgrown by bushes.