Students in Klaaskreek and Nickerie still waiting for classes to begin

Minister Dirk Currie of Onderwijs, Wetenschap en Cultuur (Ministry of Education, Science and Culture) pledged on Thursday in De Nationale Assemblée (DNA, Suriname’s parliament) to have both situations investigated. He did not give a specific date for the start of classes.

During the additional question round, assembly member Tashana Lösche (NDP) again drew attention to the Daniel-school in the Klaaskreek ressort. According to her, the school was unable to start at the opening of the school year on October 1 because suitable staff housing for teachers is lacking. According to Lösche, classes had still not started on Wednesday.

She wanted to know from the minister when the pupils would be able to receive education again. Currie replied that he must have the situation at the school specifically investigated and would inform parliament in writing.

More than 135 pupils in Clarapolder at home

In Nickerie, more than 135 pupils of Openbare School S.H. Kisoensingh are waiting for the renovation of their school building to be completed. NDP parliamentary group leader Rabin Parmessar urged that the work be carried out more quickly. According to him, work should be carried out day and night if necessary and a second contractor should be brought in.

Parmessar stated that the pupils still have no clarity about the further course of events. During the meeting, Currie was unable to indicate why the renovation had been delayed or when the building would be available again. He pledged to have the matter investigated and announced that he would travel to Nickerie on Sunday to assess the situation on site.

Transport of teachers delayed

Elsewhere in the interior, the start of the school year has also been complicated by transport problems, according to the minister. Currie stated that two defective GumAir aircraft caused delays in transporting teachers. As a result, teachers still had to be taken to their duty stations after October 1.

In addition, the ministry is facing a shortage of cleaning and security staff. For support, Currie has appealed, among others, to the ministerie van Regionale Ontwikkeling (Ministry of Regional Development).

The minister also pointed to break-ins and thefts disrupting education. One school had been broken into again. At an lbo-school, electricity cables had been stolen, leaving the building without power.

Distribution of school furniture not yet completed

According to Currie, the ministry has sufficient school furniture, but delivery to schools has not yet been completed everywhere. Only two means of transport are available for transportation. The ministry is therefore seeking support from the Nationaal Leger (National Army) and private transport operators.

The minister acknowledged that facilities are still lacking at various locations. According to him, the inventory of problems is updated daily. For the pupils in Klaaskreek and Clarapolder, it remains unclear for the time being when they will be able to return to school.