MARIGOT–The parents collective PEP (Parents, Eleves, Professeurs) has expressed frustration at new delays for delivery of mobile classrooms and other issues at Cité Scolaire, despite a positive meeting with President of the Collectivité Daniel Gibbs and his team on December 4.
At that meeting there was reason to be optimistic, PEP said in its communiqué. Delivery of mobile classrooms (algécos) for the Collège side was expected at the start of January 2019 and classrooms for the Lycée at the end of January.
Reconstruction of the French Quarter Collège was estimated to be completed and delivered at the end of 2019. In the meantime, mobile classrooms would be used there.
It was stated that work at Siméonne Trott school would start within 15 days of the meeting, bids for the work having been settled. Classes and workshops at College Mont des Accords will be available at the end of January and work on the Lycée in Concordia is in the final stages.
PEP was invited to another meeting at Cité Scolaire on December 21, initiated by National Education Project Director M. Pons, and attended by Recteur’s representative Michel Sanz, the Principals of Lycée and Collège and their assistants, Collectivité representatives Max Ogoundélé, Marthe Ogoundélé, and M. Rocard, and manager in charge of reconstruction work M. Josephine.
The objective of this meeting was to review progress at Cité Scolaire on the eve of the school holidays and to hear the expected news of the mobile classroom deliveries for the Collège.
However, it was explained at the meeting that there were difficulties with the delivery of the mobile classrooms for the Collège. The problems include a permit that has not been filed, making it difficult to obtain approval from the security service, bases or platforms supporting the four classrooms have been undersized, and a foot bridge has not been delivered. The company is working at a slow pace due to some employees not being declared.
“The PEP collective can only be concerned about the situation,” the communiqué continued. “Commitments have not been respected. Conditions for students of Soualiga Collège are unacceptable. There are very large gaps in timetables and this leads to students wandering the streets all day long, adding to the constant overcrowding of students. There’s a climate of insecurity, tension, violence and absences.
“Parents are exhausted by constant trips back and forth…. In short, what about education? What are the chances of success for our children? The personalized assistance (PA) courses from Monday to Saturday have more than 30 children with just two teachers. There is noise all day long. Children, parents and educational assistants can’t take it anymore and we were looking forward to this school year.
“The collective again asks students, their parents, teachers and education professionals: How much longer will we be able to accept the unacceptable? Other concerns are already emerging for the start of the 2019/2020 school year: What are the proposed solutions to accommodate staff before the delivery of the 2021 College?”
Due to the holidays, no comment could be obtained from Collectivité officials connected to the Cité Scolaire issues.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/84049-parents-exasperated-by-delays-and-setbacks-at-cite-scolaire
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