LAST year it must have pained most parents to see their children sitting in the scorching heat at Stad Popiler. This is what they will have to endure again this year to represent their schools at the National School Athletics Championship. Many of them suffered from headaches as did the teachers who accompanied them.
This has been a concern for all school leaders as most of them suffered the same fate. The issue was raised in several meetings with the Ministry of Education. In response the schools were informed that this year it will be different and arrangement will be made to cover the sitting areas where school children will be seated. But as with everything in this country these were empty words said only to placate dissent.
Once again this year it will be business as usual at the Stad Popiler. School children from primary, secondary and post-secondary schools will have to sit in the sun with only cap or an umbrella, if it is allowed, as protection. The VIPs, Ministers, Principal Secretaries, Directors and some others will sit in the grandstand enjoying the comfort of the shade provided for them. Lately, the Ministry has confirmed that no cover will be put up in view of the heavy cost involved.
Last year schools were requested to bring along around 70 students as spectators for the Athletics Championship and most schools could manage only half that number. It remains to be seen this year how many will turn up especially on a Sunday.
For many years, the competition was held at Stad Linite, where there is enough space under the stand facing the Grand stand to sit the Primary and Secondary school students. But it looks like the school competition has been permanently transferred to Stad Popiler and the question of whether it will ever be fitted with a roof remains an important one. Until it is answered in the affirmative the school children will have to expect the same treatment year in and year out, a free, albeit unwanted tan from the Ministry of Education. Lest we forget the accompanying headaches. SAD!!!