Slesers and Bastiks greeted in Cesis by young demonstrators
Deputy Prime Minister Ainars Slesers and State Minister for Child and Family Development Affairs Ainars Bastiks were greeted upon their arrival in Cesis today by a picket of about 50 school children and teachers, who protested against the fact that no funds had been allotted for construction of a gym at Cesis High School and Cesis Primary School, Cesis High School Principal Maris Skele told LETA.
Deputy Prime Minister Ainars Slesers and State Minister for Child and Family Development Affairs Ainars Bastiks were greeted upon their arrival in Cesis today by a picket of about 50 school children and teachers, who protested against the fact that no funds had been allotted for construction of a gym at Cesis High School and Cesis Primary School, Cesis High School Principal Maris Skele told LETA.
The protesters include teachers from both schools, members of student councils, school administrations and the local sports school. The ministers heard a demand to ensure "children's right to normal physical education". Contrary to the government's promises made last year, the budget for 2003 includes no money for construction of the gym, Skele explained.
Last year LVL 325,000 were allotted from the national budget for the project. The money has been transferred to the winner of a tender for construction of the gym, the joint-stock company "Cesu buvnieks", construction will begin in coming days, a contract has already been signed. The Cesis City Council has already invested LVL 52,000 in planning the building's designs.
The government's decision to suspend financing for the construction of the gym proves mismanagement, as was the case with Kuldiga and Valka, where projects, into which money had already been invested, were suspended.
Both Cesis schools are attended by a total of 1,500 students, but none has a gym, other city's facilities serve the purpose, located some 500 meters from the primary school. The students of the high school have to take a bus to attend classes in physical education.
According to the project, a gym, worth about LVL 2.32 million, is to be constructed, that would hold three basketball courts. The gym would provide enough space for holding six physical education classes at one time, which is required in the present situation.
Slesers and Bastiks said that the money could be allotted only in summer when the budget would be reviewed, because the state is short of money right now.
Next Thursday, February 6, parents' councils of both schools, the schools' leaders, representatives of student councils and physical education teachers would meet at the Cesis Secondary School to prepare a letter for the government, requesting that it find a way to provide the funds.
Agnese Krivade LETA
Copyright © LETA
The protesters include teachers from both schools, members of student councils, school administrations and the local sports school. The ministers heard a demand to ensure "children's right to normal physical education". Contrary to the government's promises made last year, the budget for 2003 includes no money for construction of the gym, Skele explained.
Last year LVL 325,000 were allotted from the national budget for the project. The money has been transferred to the winner of a tender for construction of the gym, the joint-stock company "Cesu buvnieks", construction will begin in coming days, a contract has already been signed. The Cesis City Council has already invested LVL 52,000 in planning the building's designs.
The government's decision to suspend financing for the construction of the gym proves mismanagement, as was the case with Kuldiga and Valka, where projects, into which money had already been invested, were suspended.
Both Cesis schools are attended by a total of 1,500 students, but none has a gym, other city's facilities serve the purpose, located some 500 meters from the primary school. The students of the high school have to take a bus to attend classes in physical education.
According to the project, a gym, worth about LVL 2.32 million, is to be constructed, that would hold three basketball courts. The gym would provide enough space for holding six physical education classes at one time, which is required in the present situation.
Slesers and Bastiks said that the money could be allotted only in summer when the budget would be reviewed, because the state is short of money right now.
Next Thursday, February 6, parents' councils of both schools, the schools' leaders, representatives of student councils and physical education teachers would meet at the Cesis Secondary School to prepare a letter for the government, requesting that it find a way to provide the funds.
Agnese Krivade LETA
Copyright © LETA