Emergency Response Coordinator, Abdon Whyte has highlighted the issue of accommodation for the students of Union Island as it pertains to possibility of having schools resumed on the island in time for the new school term in September.
He said that at first, he was not on board with Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalve’s proposal of having the students of three schools on mainland St. Vincent, but after assessing data related to household assessments, it became clear that the proposal was the best possible option. He was at the time speaking on the Issue At Hand program aired on Sundays on WE FM.
Mr. Whyte, who is also a resident of Union Island said that while it would be possible to have the school buildings repaired in time for the resumption of schools in September, housing children as well as workers who need to be present to facilitate speedy repairs on the island does not seem possible.
He also said that the environment as it is currently, is not the most suitable for children pursuing an education.
“Union has roughly about 1300 buildings. Could we repair 500 houses in time for September? To house children? I keep asking people where them children gonna live. Where are they going to live? Yes, we could have this school ready. Yes, we could put up the school. Yes, we could have Starlink. Yes, we could have this and we could have that. They could have running water at the school. I know all of that could be accomplished by early September, mid-September. Yeah. But the issue now that this confronting us, I think some bosses are blinded–Where are the children going to live?
Because you have another problem. We need workers on the island. You understand? We need workers on the island. If workers are going to come in to speed up the rebuilding process, what is going to happen? Where are they going to live? They’re going to take space from persons who want to stay. Having children in the shelter and going to school is not the best thing for them.” Mr. Whyte said.
Many Union Island residents voiced concern in relation to the retaining of their culture while the students are pursuing their education on the mainland. In addressing this, he suggested that the island’s culture could be included in the curriculum in order to keep the children in touch with it.
Work has already commenced on the new site, the old Teacher’s College in Arnos Vale and with adequate work, the building will be able to house all displaced students from the Mary Hutchinson Primary School, the Stephanie Browne Primary School, and the Union Island Secondary School.
The Ministry of Education estimates that around 477 students, and approximately 75 teachers will have to be accommodated on mainland St Vincent due to the extensive damage the Southern Grenadines experienced from the hurricane.
