Approximately 46 preschoolers registered to attend the government preschool on South Andros are still without a teacher and some parents on that island are upset that their toddlers are still not in school a month after the fall semester started.<\/p>\n
According to an official at the Long Bay Cays Primary School, the three and four-year- olds were supposed to start school after two of the three buildings on that campus were refurbished.<\/p>\n
But with the buildings nearing completion officials have reportedly been informed that the teacher promised for that particular school has been sent to San Salvador. <\/p>\n
Minister of Education Alfred Sears told The Bahama Journal on Tuesday that he was not aware of the situation. <\/p>\n
The preschool dilemma on South Andros comes as the Ministry of Education faces many other concerns at public schools like the teacher-parent dispute at the Lowe Sound Primary School in Central Andros, and various protests by teachers demanding the completion of repairs at several public schools throughout the country. <\/p>\n
Dianne Feliz, one South Andros parent, told The Bahama Journal it’s unfair that two of her children who are at the preschool age have no school to attend. <\/p>\n
“I think it is very poor because from last year they were letting us know that the preschool would be opened,” Mrs. Feliz said.<\/p>\n
“[I] already got my children prepared and the same thing this year and nothing is being done,” she claimed <\/p>\n
“When I went to the school they told me to bring the children back in late October and I hear that they are telling some of the other parents when the [preschool teacher] comes down [the preschool would be open].” <\/p>\n
Carol McKinney, a mother in the Bluff, South Andros, also expressed disappointed that the preschool has not be opened.<\/p>\n
“Right now to be paying school fees is hard sometimes, especially since I had purchased school uniforms for my son since last term,” Mrs. McKinney said.<\/p>\n
“I was told that within the next two weeks the pre-school should be open or as soon as the preschool director comes down, but I’m simply tired.” <\/p>\n
Other parents on South Andros said despite the delay, they would wait until the preschool is opened.<\/p>\n
Kizzy Brown, who also has two toddlers, said that both of her children were prepared for school.<\/p>\n
“My three-year-old was not accepted,” Ms. Brown said.<\/p>\n
“But I was told by teachers that my four-year-old could be added to the list. I am just waiting and praying for the school to open up.” <\/p>\n
Melanie Greene, a secretary at the Kemp’s Bay High School, said that for the time being she has enrolled her son in the only privately run preschool in the district.<\/p>\n
“I took my son to The Little Disciple Preschool in Deep Creek,” Mrs. Green said.<\/p>\n
“I am not frustrated because I understand the Long Bay Cays building is being used for the primary school students because that is the only space available to hold the older kids.” <\/p>\n
Shelia Forbes, a custodial worker at Long Bay Cays Primary School, said that while her granddaughter is not one of the preschool children missing school, she understands the struggle of the other parents.<\/p>\n
By: Royanne Forbes, The Bahama Journal<\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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