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​T&T Fiscal mismanagement in its Education Ministry

"The future of a country is shaped by the quality of education its children receive, and this education depends heavily on the environments in which they learn".
Unfortunately, for the students and staff of St. George’s College, their return to school did not go as planned.
Despite promises made by Education Minister Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, the much-anticipated reopening was delayed due to ongoing infrastructural problems.
The school, which had been relocated to the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) campus for 22 months after a partial roof collapse, remains emblematic of the growing crisis in educational infrastructure in Trinidad and Tobago."

"This situation highlights the broader issue of inadequate school facilities across the country, where poor maintenance, insufficient budgeting, and administrative inefficiencies continue to undermine the promise of quality education."
Over the past decade, the Ministry of Education in Trinidad and Tobago has been allocated substantial funds to improve the nation’s education system.
In fact, the Ministry has consistently received one of the largest budgetary allocations, surpassing $8 billion in recent years.
However, despite these significant investments, the results have been remarkably underwhelming.
The case of St. George's College is just one example of how financial mismanagement has plagued the education system.

A significant portion of these funds was intended to address critical infrastructure issues such as the maintenance and repair of school buildings, as well as the provision of essential resources.
Yet, schools across the country continue to suffer from unsafe conditions, including exposed electrical wiring, unsanitary facilities, and crumbling structures.
The fact that repairs and upgrades are routinely delayed or incomplete suggests that the money is not being used efficiently.

In 2024, only $150 million of the budget remains, raising an important question: where has the rest of the money gone?
The Ministry’s lack of transparency regarding expenditure has fueled concerns that funds are being mismanaged or improperly allocated.
This mismanagement is particularly evident in the growing trend of decanting students into makeshift accommodations — a temporary solution that often becomes long-term, further straining the already stretched budget.
For example, the relocation of St. George’s College to the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) campus in Valsayn was supposed to be a short-term arrangement.
However, 22 months later, students have returned to a school that is still not fully repaired.

Additionally, the Ministry's failure to prioritize routine maintenance has exacerbated the problem.
Rather than investing in regular upkeep to prevent major structural issues, funds are often spent reactively, addressing crises only when they arise.
This approach is not only inefficient but also costly, as emergency repairs typically require more resources than preventative maintenance would.
As a result, the Ministry’s budget is continually stretched thin, leaving less money for other critical areas like teacher training, curriculum development, and student support services.

The lack of financial accountability has created a ripple effect throughout the education system.
Schools are left in disrepair, which directly impacts the quality of education students receive.
Moreover, the Ministry’s inability to deliver on its promises has eroded public trust, with many parents, teachers, and students growing increasingly frustrated by the education system’s chronic underperformance.
Beyond physical infrastructure, investing in human capital is essential for the long-term success of the education sector.
The adage that the promise and future of a country lie in its children's school bags underscores the critical importance of education in shaping a nation's destiny.

Sarge..

In reply to sgtdjones

Why does the Liberally run Government Schools, like St. George’s, seem to always have challenges vs the conservatively run Religious Board Schools?

In reply to Prako

Have you seen anything in T&T that is run by its government a success story?

Minister: Repairs to begin on washrooms at Mt Hope school

PLEASE CHECK OUT PICTURE OF SCHOOL IN LINK....

MINISTER of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly says a contractor has been engaged to begin some of the repairs needed at the Mt Hope Secondary School.
Parents, teachers and students of the school have been up in arms over its dilapidated condition since the beginning of the academic year on September 2, with many parents expressing concern for the safety of their children. Videos showing the poor condition of the school, including broken furniture and windows, dirty classrooms and insecure railings, have been widely circulated on social media over the last two weeks.

“If it was some other, prestigious school, something would have been done already." He said in the three years that his child has been a student, there had been no improvement in the condition of the school.
Another complained about the faulty toilets and called for the school to be upgraded. “The state of the school is not suitable for children. I have a girl and the toilets are not working, it is leaking and the doors cannot close. "When rain falls it is flooding. Children are hopping around and they could slip and fall. "Electrical wires are exposed, they can get shocked.
“There is a lot to be done at the school. I was a past pupil here and now I am 37 years old, and nothing has been done or upgraded. No paint or nothing. It’s the same thing and a little worse."
Additionally, the Occupational Safety and Health Agency has cordoned off part of the school where the staircase has rotted away, according to the one of the parents.