The Ministry of Education says yesterday’s flash flooding incident inside the St. George’s College has nothing to do with the remedial works done to the school’s roof, ceiling and electricals.

It says what’s more concerning is the school’s internal problems, which needs closer supervision and guidance to rectify. “..the deeper issue troubling St. George’s College, for a few years now, is a lack of internal unity and collaboration towards a shared vision of success. When the Principal, Staff, Local School Board, PTA and Alumni Associations are collaborating positively, the benefits to the school are meaningful; the situation is completely different when they are not.”

For example, the Ministry says investigations are ongoing into 80 missing fans supplied to the school by the Alumni.

And it notes that approaches made by various bodies to assist with infrastructural improvement have been met with resistance.

In addition, there have also been several complaints from parents about less than positive interactions of staff with students.

“These are all symptoms which point to the need for even closer supervision and guidance of the school, its operations and stakeholder interactions; and the School Supervisor has been assigned to work very closely with the administration and stakeholders to improve this situation. Ministry officials will also directly manage offers of assistance to the school, to ensure that they are accepted and progressed, to the benefit of the students.”

In the meantime, the Ministry says it is continuing the upgrade of the school’s facilities to the tune of 1.6 million dollars. “The school was resettled, and Phase 2 works, which do not require relocation, are currently progressing. The scope includes the installation of wall fans and associated electrical works, flooring, windows, PA system, AC servicing, fence repair, and other miscellaneous works, at a cost of 1.6Mn.”