The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association in Tobago is gratified at the response of the central government to its requests in the Mid-Year Budget. In particular, the allocation of $15 million to jump-start reconstruction at Scarborough Secondary School has been well received.
TTUTA Tobago Officer, Deon Rodriguez, says close attention will be paid to the nuts and bolts of construction.
“With the involvement of Scarborough Secondary School, design is concerned. From my understanding, it’s going to be a smart school. And being a smart school, therefore, what does a smart school look like? What are the requirements of a smart school? And at the same time, I know that the Baccolet Sporting Complex is close by. Are they going to have their own sporting facilities within the vicinity of the school, or are they going to be utilising the sporting facilities at Baccolet Sporting Complex? So all these are critical questions.”
At this time, detailed assessments are ongoing to safeguard the school’s structural integrity.
“The Division of Education, Skills and Innovation has a project implementation unit. That unit has been there for several years. And what happened, because as a Tobago officer as well, the staff reps, our ground officers, will call me from time to time where issues are concerned and related to the division, and they make attempts to replace or fix those things that are outstanding. But because you know that Scarborough Secondary is an aid school, there are always issues coming up.”
Mr. Rodriguez noted that the teachers are heartened that the Minister of Finance has said payments will soon be made according to their agreement. They are just awaiting the actual time of distribution.