Grenada Today - The National Newspaper of Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique

NDC Coordinator for the rural St. Patrick's West Constituency, Joe Gilbert has issued a call for mass protest by the people of Patrick's over the continued delay in completing the reconstruction of the St. Patrick's R.C. School in Sauteurs.

Gilbert made the call for active public protest, at a recent NDC village meeting in Hermitage, St. Patrick's.He reminded the gathering that the latest deadline of May 5, was announced by Parliamentary Representative for the area, Finance Minister Anthony Boatswain in the 2005 Budget debate, was the sixth deadline that has gone by. He said the first deadline was "All Fools Day", April 1, 2003 - more than two years ago.

Gilbert lamented the fact that the school has been forced to operate for the last five years under very challenging circumstances, with classes conducted in buildings situated miles from each other. This situation, according to Gilbert has created an administrative nightmare for the Principal and his staff and has been having a negative impact on the general performance of the school.

"The people of St. Patrick's can no longer afford to turn a blind eye on the way our teachers and students are being mistreated by this NNP Administration", he told the meeting.

According to Gilbert, it is time for Government "to take the education of our children seriously". "We must stand up and be counted in this struggle for our children's sake. Two months ago we staged a candle light vigil on the R.C. School grounds to protest against the protracted delay in completing the school, and the gross inconvenience that our teachers and children have to suffer as a consequence."

"We must take that struggle one step higher in light of the continuing situation, brothers and sisters. Mass demonstration is now required." The meeting was also addressed by the Political Leader of the NDC, Tillman Thomas, as well as Sen. Arley Gill, a barrister-at-law by profession and Kenrick Fullerton, the M.P for St. Andrew South-east.

The Hermitage village meeting was one of several public sessions being conducted around the country by the main Opposition Party to drum-up resistance against the proposed imposition of the 5% income tax contribution by the ruling New National Party (NNP) administration.

The Congress party is also using these public meetings to highlight the need for Government to give urgent priority to the present deplorable housing and shelter situation in the country; resuscitation of the Agricultural Industry and the refurbishment of schools and medical facilities.