The NDP Education Critic says parents are anxious and concerned waiting for much-needed updates on the future of Bishop Feild Elementary School in downtown St. John’s. In October, a section of the school’s roof collapsed. Students are temporarily attending the former School for the Deaf on Topsail Road but the timeline for returning to the building remains uncertain.
Lorraine Michael (MHA, St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi) says parents and guardians are urgently seeking answers regarding the school’s planned structural assessment. She says on November 30 the Minister of Transportation and Works sent an email to parents and guardians offering little information. She says, surely, the Minister could have at least estimated whether the assessment will begin in a matter of days, weeks, or months.
Today in Question Period, Michael looked for answers on the timeline for a structural assessment of the school and how long parents and guardians should expect the school to remain closed to their children.
“I ask the Minister if he is ready, today, to give the very concerned parents and guardians a better sense of what to expect around timing than he did last Thursday?” Michael said.
Michael says the Minister’s email merely says all necessary steps must be taken before allowing students, teachers, or staff to return to the school.
“That open-ended statement does not bring any comfort to parents and guardians. They have no idea of what’s really going on with the school,” said Michael.
Michael asked if the Minister will publicly notify the parents and guardians of Bishop Feild students about what exactly those necessary steps are in order to alleviate their concerns.