While it may not be such a big deal, plans to send back to the Netherlands no-longer-used pavilions made available as emergency classrooms following Irma’s destructive passage, as stated by Education Minister Wycliffe Smith (see Friday paper), seem a bit strange. One understands that the tents must be taken down before the peak of the hurricane season to protect both them and their surroundings, but can’t they subsequently be stored for possible reuse?
After all, experience has taught that severe tropical systems are certainly not uncommon in the local area, so there is always a chance of similar temporary facilities being needed in the future. No clear indication was given that the pavilions had only been borrowed either, although they were reportedly expected to be returned to authorities per June 1.
Three of them came from the Netherlands at the end of September on the Royal Navy vessel Karel Doorman as part of the relief aid transport with a total 3.9-million-euro price tag, of which the European Commission (EC) paid 55 per cent. They were reportedly provided by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Science and Culture OWC.
Adequate storage might be an issue, but once dismantled the tents should take up much less space. Reassembling them will apparently require bringing in specialists, which could be a drawback in emergency situations.
However, the latter is still better than having to ship these or other pavilions to the island all over again should that ever become necessary. In terms of cost too, safely keeping them here would appear to be the most sensible approach.
