Structural integrity of Canouan School a safety concern

by Chanolde Munroe

President of the Canouan Island Develop­ment Council (CIDC) Terry Bynoe says that taking classes under a tree is not entirely bad, but what is of concern is the state of the school building and the safety threat it poses.{{more}}

Last week, parents and teachers associated with the Canouan Government School raised concerns over structural problems at the Grenadine island’s only primary school. Teachers took classes outdoors after cracks in the school building widened.

“Nothing is bad going under a tree for a class, because we did that in our days, where you have fresh breeze and you’re a bit more comfortable in that environment. We learn in situations like this before; it’s not a bad thing, but our concern is the school structure and the safety of all involved,” Bynoe told SEARCHLIGHT on Saturday, while standing on the Canouan Government School compound.

Bynoe, also a parent, said that in his opinion, the structural problems at the almost 50-year-old school is a cause for concern. He noted that they repaired cracks before, but these new problems need serious work done on them.

“It’s a cause for concern, maybe the building is not falling down because something would have to happen for it to just fall down, but certainly it’s falling apart…there is need for some urgent attention and repairs.

“I am not an engineer, but I am a human being with five senses and you can see things,” Bynoe, a social activist said.

Bynoe noted that the cracks and other structural issues have scared teachers into taking the children outside under a tree in the schoolyard, where they now hold classes.

Also weighing in on the issue, New Democratic Party (NDP) politician and parliamentary representative for the Southern Grena­dines Terrance Ollivierre described the situation as “quite unfortunate”.

He revealed that during a sitting of Parliament, he had raised the matter about cracks and possible earth movements at the school and he was told nothing was wrong with the school.

“So, if the investigation had been done then, they would have been able to find out what the problem was and they would have been able to fix it a long time ago”, stressed Ollivierre, who said that there are so many cracks that persons are scared to be in the building.

“If we are talking about a revolution in education, then certainly much work needs to be done to make sure that regardless of where you are in St Vincent and the Grenadines that you are provided with the same opportunity to get quality education,” Bynoe said.

Ollivierre noted that he hopes something is done soon to alleviate the problem and bring peace of mind to both students and teachers.

“Right now the learning environment, I don’t think any substantial is being gained from what is happening…generally, I think both teachers and students would be in a mode in case of any little crack or anything. I don’t think the teaching and learning process is being effective right now at the school,” Bynoe said, adding that he is hoping that there could be some form of alternative housing for the teachers and students.

Commenting on the issue, director of Grenadines Affairs Edwin Snagg said that the building supervisor for the Southern Grenadines made a visit to the school on Friday.

“He visited and give his report to his superiors at BRAGSA. They have since sent down their engineers who were here on Friday and certainly in my discussions with the chief executive officer of BRAGSA, he has indicated that they have seen the pictures, but he is waiting for the report from his engineers,” said Snagg, who added that he cannot say how bad the situation is and if it requires alternative housing for the students.

“That sort of decision has to be taken based on the information received from the experts at BRAGSA. We have actually put ourselves in a position where you are sort of pre-empting and there have been some discussions through the Ministry of Education with relation to alternative accommodation if there is need, based on the report from the engineers,” Snagg said.