PARAMARIBO - Several schools in Suriname reportedly have serious problems that hamper the education process on a daily basis.

OS. Sunnypoint 2 which is a public primary school has not had any electricity for the past two years. A building at Havo 4 where 4 classrooms and the principal’s office were located went up in flames recently. The school still does not have any electricity and the toilets still have not been renovated. Education, Science and Culture Minister Dirk Currie announced that the Ministry of Education and other ministries are working hard to tackle the problems. He pointed out that the electrical cables at OS Sunnypoint 2 would be replaced next Monday and that the toilets would also be improved. Havo 4 will also be reconnected to the network of the Energy Company Suriname (EBS) and the toilets will be renovated. There are also other problems such as the delay in payments for teachers who work overtime. The BLTO which is the union that represents teachers who are stationed at technical schools recently discussed this issue with Minister Currie, the vice president, the minister of Home Affairs and the minister of Finance and Planning. Meanwhile the Central Bank of Suriname has wired the money but the teachers first want to hold a meeting before returning to their work stations.
Minister Currie emphasized that the ministry gives priority to the improvement of the infrastructure at schools while also supporting the staff members so that the education process could return to normal as soon as possible.