The terrible state of the physical infrastructure at Government High School is posing a safety risk for students and teachers, according to Education Minister Desmond Bannister.
Mr Bannister said he personally visited the school and was "appalled" by what he saw.
A worker at the school told The Tribune that GHS is "collapsing" and the situation is "dangerous."
Mr Bannister committed to making certain the situation was "dealt with" by the start of the new school year. He said funds have already been budgeted for the repairs and that "as soon as our budget is available" the tenders board will go through the process of selecting a contractor.
Photo: Deterioration at Government High School. Photo from The Tribune.
The minister spoke on the issue in response to complaints by school board chairman Jeffery Collie, aired at a workshop for public school administrators and board members last week. "Every time I have a meeting it is the first thing I mention. They sent someone and they did a little something and they left, but nothing is really moving. They can't wait until something happens to try move, because I won't sit there and cover up for you," said Mr Collie. Work was completed on four of at least 15 arcades in need of repair in the past few months.
"That was the first time I met the (new) minister. I was in contact with the former minister, Carl Bethel. It made me feel a little better to hear (Mr Bannister) speak," he said.
Complaints about structural problems at GHS are not new. Two years ago, administrators complained that the school was "structurally unsafe" for students and staff. There was even a dispute in 2008 over the payment of workers contracted to repair six staircases at the school. Little has changed today, according to the administrators. Sizable concrete pieces chip away from the wall in some areas "on a daily basis", said Mr Collie. Along several bridges that connect classroom blocks the steel frames are exposed due to the concrete having been eroded.
The same problem affects concrete staircases and upstairs railings - the metal bindings of which have been dislodged from eroded concrete. On one staircase, part of the railing dropped off completely.
Mr Collie said some of the 8x8 plywood planks that are being used as makeshift columns are bending due to the load. He said some of them may even be rotting.
Some of the structures are also braced by 4x4 planks. All of the wooden supports are wedged in place using small pieces of plywood jammed at the top and bottom of the planks. "Children knock down the wood like nothing with people trampling past it ever day," said Mr Collie.
Collin Johnson, the new principal at GHS, said he has not been informed as yet about the budget allocation for structural repairs.
"I have started doing some things. I don't believe in just sitting around waiting on government when we can do certain things. There are a few holes in the fence we are looking into. I am in communication with the Ministry of Works about painting and cutting the grass. We are taking the initiative ourselves," said Mr Johnson. The new principal admitted that structural problems are another matter. He said he has some concerns, but that the school is doing its best nonetheless.
The budget for infrastructure projects at public schools this year is "limited," said Elma Garraway, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education.
The ministry has not given out any contracts as yet. She said all schools were to determine their top priorities.
Mrs Garraway added that the Ministry of Works had met with less than one third of the public schools represented at the workshop to determine the scope of work for each school and assess their priorities. All schools are to participate in consultations. It is not clear why the Ministry of Works has not met with all the schools yet.
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