Simon chides Administration over non-functional a/c units at Urlings Primary, saying it is a failure to invest in a sustainable future for youth

MP Kelvin “Shugy” Simon is disappointed – though not surprised – by the
Browne Administration’s failure to operationalize the air-conditioning units
installed at the Urlings Primary School. 
 
Some eight months have passed since those units were mounted and, to date,
they have never functioned, Simon says.  Hence, he considers the installation
nothing more than a political gimmick ahead of the October 2023 by-election
in his constituency, St. Mary’s South.

The MP is particularly concerned about this situation because of what he
calls “record-breaking temperatures” impacting the country at this time and
their effects on the well-being of students. And he condemns the
Administration – calling it heartless – for showing “abject disregard for the
welfare of our students.”

Therefore, Simon is calling out Minister of Education Darryl Matthew for his
failure to ensure that the units are working and asking that he address this
situation immediately.

As evidence of Matthew’s further failure, the St. Mary’s South MP refers to a
Daily Observer news article, dated October 18, 2023, in which the education
minister says that classrooms at the Newfield Primary School were set to
receive air-conditioning units by the end of that week.

At that time, the minister acknowledged that installing fans inside the
classrooms simply was not working, as they would simply circulate hot air.
 
Simon says that failing to place air-conditioning units in the classrooms – as a
means of temperature control – is unfortunate and regrettable. He is
extremely concerned that the stifling heat is impacting students’ ability to
learn and teachers’ and administrators’ ability to carry out their tasks. 
 
Further, MP Simon finds it outrageous that – even as the Administration is
focused on the SIDS4 conference, addressing logistics and the needs of
hundreds of delegates – it has neglected the basic needs of students across
Antigua and Barbuda.
 
Investing in the Nation’s youth, who represent the future, would create a
sustainable future for them, Simon points out.
 
He notes that young people are being relied upon to drive the innovation,
energy, and resilience that are necessary to tackle global challenges, such as
climate change, poverty, and inequality – some of the main issues on the SIDS4
conference agenda.
 
Accordingly, he says the authorities must get their priorities in order and do a
better job of improving the environment for the youth to learn.