Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has responded in detail to an NDP press release on the state of the Greggs Primary School following the NDP 40th Convention,
Gonsalves said he is doing so in light of the current discussion, where the NDP is somehow involving the Principal and the Ministry of Education, accusing them of engaging in politics.
Gonsalves speaking on WEFM on Wednesday morning, outlined what he called a number of facts in relation to the issue:
1) Israel Bruce told the Principal that they did not need the use of the school’s kitchen. However that was not so, it was in fact used.
2) Carelessly discarded Chicken fat was left in bags which dogs dragged around on the compound.
3) The drains were not cleaned from said waste which came from the kitchen.
4) The Principal had to get parents from the Greggs community to help clean the kitchen.
5) Lunch for the children was late on Monday because of the mess left behind.
6) The school’s water fountain was used as a urinal
7) Teachers had to monitor students since the stage they erected still remained on the school compound well until Monday evening.
8) ALL toilets were working, despite NDP saying otherwise.
9) Teachers had to get assistance to flush toilets on Monday following the aftermath of the event.
Gonsalves said that at first he only dealt with the statement that was made by the NDP, but on further investigations, all the toilets were found to be working.
“They disrespected the students, the parents, the teachers and the community; I am giving Vincentians full chapter and verse!”
Gonsalves said that along with that, the NDP is accusing persons of playing political games because the school had to be closed.
“It was around mid-morning that the scent from the portable toilets and the drain began to affect the children. The heat began to rise. You going to leave children in a place like that?” Gonsalves quizzed.
Listen To PM Gonsalves In Detail