School furniture no problem for new term – Manickchand

Shortage of furniture in classrooms is an unlikely challenge the Ministry of Education will be faced with this new school term which will commence on September 1. The Ministry of Education has been able to place additional furniture in schools.
In a press statement yesterday, the Ministry of Education said that to date, more than 90 percent of schools have already received its supply of furniture. Some schools in Regions Four and Eight are expected to be fully equipped by the end of September. In the meantime, contractors will continue the delivery of furniture.
The release said that Government, in understanding the importance of education in a country’s development, allocated approximately $300M to the construction and provision of furniture. The aim is to have every child seated comfortably in the classroom as they receive quality education.
“Well ahead of the close of school in July 2014, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand held a meeting with builders to discuss the importance of contractors meeting their contractual obligations, specifically emphasizing the importance of contractors delivering the furniture on time, and of an acceptable quality,” the Ministry said.
Manickchand had said that the most desirous outcome would be that quality furniture is delivered on time emphasizing that if these requirements are not met, the Government will apply penalties under the relevant contracts.
The contractors undertook to ensure that they meet the conditions to which they agreed under the various contracts, and expressed a deep understanding of the necessity to provide good furniture in a timely manner, the release said.