Primary pupils are dipping into their pocket money to help rebuild a school devastated by fire -- as Government officials quarrel over the bulging insurance estimate.

One staff source at Harrington Sound Primary, who asked not to be named, told The Royal Gazette : "Donations have run into thousands of dollars, and that includes money given by children at other schools.

"Support from businesses and members of the public has been fantastic, both financial and in terms of materials.'' But while schoolchildren are doing their bit to help the rebuilding project, parents say Government engineers and insurance executives are squabbling.

Now parents fear their children will be forced to stay in temporary classrooms until the beginning of next year.

But Shadow Education Minister Tim Smith appealed to Government last night to rebuild the school during the summer holidays.

He said: "In many instances, children are more adaptable than adults and I believe they will be satisfied if it is a less-than-perfect environment if the adults are similarly satisfied.

"I would have thought the priority should be to get the school back operating so that it is at least safe, and that way as little damage as possible would be caused to students and teachers.

"The Works and Engineering team should look to the summer recess for the performing of any substantive repairs to the property.'' But the school insider claimed the rebuilding work would not be finished until the end of the first term next year.

That would mean children staying in cramped classrooms at the closed-down Devon Lane school in Pembroke until January.

She said: "The bottom line is that there's no way the school is going to be ready by September. No way.'' And she claimed the damage estimate had already risen well above the $1 million mark, including claims for the school building and its contents.

Lengthy insurance estimates, investigations by the Police and Fire Brigade and inventory inquiries from teachers had contributed to the delays, she said.

"Lots of things have been holding up the progress,'' she added. "Then of course the Police and Fire departments had to complete their investigations before anything could be done.

"Plus putting together all the estimates has involved more than just the building itself -- it's the contents as well.'' The Royal Gazette revealed yesterday that the school, attacked by arsonists last month, may not be rebuilt in time for the new school year.

Chief Education Officer Dr. Joseph Christopher said: "I do not know at this point in time whether the school will be ready by September or not.

"Works and Engineering is still continuing discussions with the insurer and I cannot give any further comment than that.'' Alex Scott, Works and Engineering Minister, said talks were ongoing with Centurion Insurance Services.

He added: "I don't think any parent would want the whole project rushed along so that we put aside the notion of safety or didn't upgrade the facility to provide more amenities.

"I hope the parents aren't just preoccupied with the date of September and not mindful of the opportunity to actually put back a full service school.

"In any event, I'm not sure that the school will not be ready by September.'' Editorial: Page 4