St. Dominic’s RC PTA: ‘Make sure money for a new school is in Budget’

With Finance Minister Colm Imbert announcing that the Budget will be presented on September 30th, parents of students attending St. Dominic’s RC Primary School are calling on him to allocate funds for their new school.

It has been over seven years since an earthquake damaged the Penal school, forcing the children to occupy the penal community centre.

Following a fiery protest last January, the parents returned today in a peaceful demonstration, saying they were trying a more peaceful and Biblical approach.

However, one parent noted that they are standing firm to let the ministry of education know that the parents are serious about their demands.

President of the St. Dominic’s RC Primary School’s PTA, Sharon Baptiste, explained that the community centre—which is not designed to function as a school—lacks sufficient facilities and amenities.

She also told Guardian Media that things are challenging for some parents, as instruction for students in the Infant classes takes place at St. Dominic’s R.C. Church.

“It is very unfortunate for some parents who have to be going back and forth to pick up their children from the parish hall and the community centre. If all our children were housed in one area, it would be even better,” she said.

President of the St. Dominic’s RC Primary School’s PTA, Sharon Baptiste, tells the media that children have been having school in the community centre for more than 7 years after the original school building was decanted. Looking on is TTUTA President Martin Lum Kin (left). The PTA staged a peaceful protest to highlight the need for a new school building, on Thursday 19 September 2024.

The PTA spokesperson said a new school is long overdue.

“We want a new school. We do not want to be placed somewhere else. We just want our school right now,” she stated.  “It has been over 10 years, and a lot of parents are upset.”

President of the T&T Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA), Martin Lum Kin, joined the parents during their protest, stating that teachers also are facing similar problems.

Lum Kin told Guardian Media that teachers have no Staff Room, they also are forced to eat their lunches at their desks, as well as to share the same washrooms as the students.

The TTUTA president also pointed out that using the community centre as a school is hindering the development of the wider community.

TTUTA President Martin Lum Kin speaks with the media as some parents in the PTA of the St. Dominic’s RC Primary School in Penal stage a peaceful protest to highlight the need for a new school building, on Thursday 19 September 2024.

“We in TTUTA consider that every community and every school is important for national development. Penal is no different,” Lum Kin stated.

“The parents, students, and educators of St. Dominic’s RC deserve much better,” he asserted. “You cannot understand the conditions under which our members operate.”

In response, Minister of Education Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly said several decanted schools have received new buildings at their original locations this year.

Using this as evidence of the ministry’s work, the minister assured that St. Dominic’s R.C. will be rebuilt as soon as funding becomes available and gave assurances that it is a priority.