New World Island Academy in Summerford, Newfoundland and Labrador, has operated without a functional public address (PA) system since the start of the school year. Although repairs are underway, parents and advocates question the delay amid heightened safety concerns following the February 10 mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, where eight people died, including six children and an education assistant.
Minister Assures Imminent Resolution
Education Minister Paul Dinn confirms that the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure has secured a technician to repair the system. “They have someone, and my understanding is just physically getting them there to fix it,” Dinn stated to reporters. He noted that a solution exists and implementation is progressing, attributing earlier delays to a government transition during the provincial election. Since taking office, he has prioritized the issue.
Parent Voices Alarm: ‘Like Sitting Ducks’
Jennifer Anstey, a local mother of three, withdrew her children from school this week due to safety worries. “Children are like sitting ducks in the school,” she said. Anstey discovered the PA failure around Christmas, initially dismissing it as a minor glitch. Despite repeated staff requests for repairs, including confirmation that a part was needed, the issue persisted through January.
The Tumbler Ridge tragedy amplified her concerns. She contacted the Education Department, only to learn it fell under Transportation and Infrastructure. Anstey reports that the replacement part arrives soon, with installation scheduled for this week. “I need to know where and what is going on. My children are there; they need to be safe,” she emphasized.
NDP Leader Calls for Urgent Action
NDP Leader Jim Dinn labels the prolonged outage a critical safety gap, especially post-Tumbler Ridge. “A functioning PA system where you can alert the whole school at one time is essential for the safety of students and staff,” he said. While acknowledging the ordered part, he highlights teacher frustration since September and urges swift resolution.
