Minister of Education Sonia Parag yesterday instructed contractors carrying out remedial works at Mackenzie High School in Linden to complete the project within two weeks.
Parag issued the deadline during a visit to the school, where outstanding works include repainting.
The minister also instructed the headteacher and representatives of the Parent-Teachers Association to keep her personally informed about the project’s progress.
The visit follows concerns about the readiness of Mackenzie High and several other Region Ten schools for the new academic year.
On the eve of Monday’s reopening, Kiskadee Watch reported that questions had been raised about unfinished works and inadequate facilities at Mackenzie High, Watooka Day Primary, Wismar Hill Primary and Airy Hall Nursery.
The Department of Education–Region Ten had maintained that Mackenzie High would reopen for all grades and accused some persons of spreading misinformation intended to disrupt education.
However, when schools reopened, Parag acknowledged that works were still being undertaken at Mackenzie High. She said regional and education officials were working to ensure that the buildings remained safe while classes continued.
The minister had reported that approximately 98% of the country’s schools reopened as scheduled, although alternative arrangements were required at some institutions because of unfinished works and safety concerns.
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