MP Moonilal and councillor Kumarie Kuarsingh Joins Parents and Students in Protest for Completion of Ramai Trace Hindu School
In joining the hundreds of students, parents and villagers of the Ramai trace area this morning in protest, I wish to appeal once again to the Ministry of Education to end the daily misery of 271 students by opening the Ramai Trace Hindu Primary School.
For the past three years, students have been made to journey for as long as 55 minutes to makeshift classes at a Hindu temple, while the school remains closed.
The school, which has cost taxpayers, $32 million, has been left 95 per cent completed, with no explanation from the Ministry for it not being put to use.
Students are crammed into improvised facilities at the temple, at Rock Road, a long distance from their homes. Some students leave their homes at 6:30 a.m.
In spite of the major inconvenience, students continue to excel in the SEA examination.
Sometime ago, several students fell ill because of their jam-packed learning environment. There are insufficient washrooms and other amenities available to the students.
I have made representations on this issue, both inside and outside of Parliament, and the school’s Parent-Teacher Association has held public protests, but Minister of Education Anthony Garcia has not been moved to end the suffering and distress of the innocent students.
It is opportune to demand the completion of the Ramai Trace Hindu school as we begin a week of celebrating the life of former President George Maxwell Richards, a pioneering educator who dedicated his life to education and opportunity for our youth and the children. It is fitting as we give honour to Professor Richards life that the government move with haste to realize his own dream of an educated and technology driven Labour force powered by strong institutions. No better tribute can be paid than to open the school.
I again urge Mr. Garcia to bring an end to the daily hassle and anguish of the students by putting the new Ramai Trace Hindu Primary School to use.
The country’s students do not deserve to be punished for the Ministry’s inefficiency and ineptitude.