Students have been moved out of the eastern wing of Zeeburg Secondary School as the Ministry of Education takes preventative action over cracks and other structural concerns at the building.
Education Minister Sonia Parag, who visited the school on Tuesday, said the decision was taken to ensure students and teachers are not exposed to potential risks while the condition of the building is assessed. Students have been relocated and are conducting classes under a shift system.
Parag stressed that no student or teacher has been affected by the structural concerns so far, but said the Ministry does not intend to wait for an incident before taking action.
“We don’t want our children to be in an unsafe environment. We don’t want our teachers to be in an unsafe environment,” she said, adding that preventative measures are necessary to ensure they remain in a safe environment.
A structural engineer is expected to visit the school on Thursday to conduct an assessment. Parag said the inspection will not be limited to the eastern wing, as other areas of the school have also been identified for review.
The engineer is expected to produce a comprehensive report outlining the condition of the building and any works required. That report will guide the Ministry’s decisions on remedial works and when students can safely return to the affected section.
While the assessment is underway, the Ministry is also providing additional support to the school. Parag said fans and new library shelves will be provided, among other resources.
Parag also responded to a separate reopening issue at Port Kaituma Secondary School, where there had been reports of a furniture shortage. She acknowledged the setback but noted the matter has been resolved.
“It’s been reported to me this morning that the furniture is there in the classroom, which I am pleased about because we had it. We had mandated all schools to have their furniture ready for the reopening of schools,” she said.
The situation comes just days after the Education Ministry activated a multi-stakeholder task force aimed at ensuring schools were clean, conducive and safe for reopening.
