July 1, 2012Dear Sir,The contents of the below embedded letter represent the formal response to The Royal Gazette regarding recent criticism by Sheelagh Cooper of the Coalition for the Protection of Children regarding the Victor Scott summer programme. Concern was raised that the project will be hindered due to painting maintenance at the school.One of the criticisms levied at the Ministry of Education over recent years has been our inability to have schools open on time in September. In January 2011, I entered into discussion with my colleagues in the Ministry of Estates and Information to determine the impediments to the timely opening of schools.They noted that the most significant issue was that they could not have unimpeded access to schools and therefore, they ended up trying to work around summer camps and persons who were provided access to schools in the summer. In hearing their concerns, we in the Ministry of Education also felt that this poses a risk to the safety and health of workers and students/others who were utilising school facilities at the same time.It was agreed between the two Ministries that any school in which work is to take place over the summer, will not be utilised for any summer activity. This was communicated to our stakeholders, including the Department of Youth and Sport and Community and Culture who annually host summer camps and activities.It might also be recalled that September of 2011 was the first time in recent memory that all schools opened on time.To outline the process: In January of each year, the two Ministries (Government Estates and Information and Education) undertake a review of necessary work in all schools in consultation with principals. Out of this exercise, principals are advised of the major works to be carried out in their schools in the upcoming summer. Schools are also on a four-year rotation for painting of the interior and exterior of the buildings. The Ministry then advises schools and stakeholders about which schools will not be available for summer activity.In this case, as noted above, this process was followed.The Ministry welcomes any programme that assists our children to address their needs. The Government policy also acknowledges that schools be utilised to their fullest to meet the needs of the community when not in use for educational purposes. This then means that there is a very small window in which to prepare schools for September. Additionally, it must be never forgotten that upon completion of summer works, school custodians must have adequate time to carry out heavy cleaning ahead of the return of Principals and teachers at the end of August.The Ministry of Education has never stated that this camp cannot occur in a school. What we have stated, is that for the reasons stated above, the camp cannot occur at Victor Scott Primary School.WARREN JONESPermanent Secretary of Education