Lawmakers demand safe schools amid ongoing inspection crisis

In a recent government oversight hearing, concerns were raised regarding the safety and compliance of Guam's Department of Education (GDOE) schools. A senator emphasized the urgency of maintaining high standards for school safety, likening the situation to a marathon where quitting is not an option. The senator highlighted that, despite the GDOE's request for a 20-year timeline to meet public health standards established in 2019, significant progress has been made in just one year, with half of the schools inspected and meeting the required standards.

The discussion turned to a proposed amendment that would allow GDOE schools that fail inspections to continue operating at the discretion of the superintendent. Critics of the amendment argued that this could lead to substandard conditions for students, as the authority of superintendents has changed multiple times in recent years. They expressed concern that relying on the discretion of a single superintendent does not guarantee the safety of schools, especially given past instances where schools opened without proper sanitary permits.

The senator pointed out that the legislature had previously mandated that schools must be inspected and comply with sanitary rules before opening, a move that was met with resistance from public health officials due to staffing shortages. However, public health has since aligned with the need for stringent safety measures. The senator urged colleagues to reject any measures that would undermine these standards, emphasizing that the safety of students should be the top priority.

The hearing concluded with a call for collaboration between the legislature and GDOE to ensure that schools are safe and compliant, rather than allowing potentially unsafe schools to operate under lenient regulations. The senator reiterated the importance of accountability and the need for immediate action to address the safety of Guam's educational facilities.