Education Minister Fayval Williams says preparations are ongoing to have schools ready to accommodate students for the new academic year in September.
Mrs Williams says $2 billion is being spent on rental books for primary and secondary schools.
Additionally, the provision of furniture and the infrastructural needs of schools are being addressed.
Mr. Crawford stated that almost every aspect of the system to allow for a smooth reopening is in disarray.
Speaking Thursday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106, Mrs Williams said the ministry is cognizant of the challenges and is taking steps to correct them.
She acknowledged that "there is ongoing need for maintenance" of infrastructure at the more than 1,000 schools across the country, but said many institutions have already been assisted with improvements, whether electrical upgrades, work on their sewage system, roof or bathrooms.
The minister said the work will continue but she admitted that not all schools will not be "absolutely ready" in terms of infrastructure by September.
Teacher vacancies
Mrs Williams said discussions are continuing with principals who are facing the dilemma of teacher resignations.
She said her information remains that about 80 teachers have resigned.
According to Mrs Williams, the ministry has been relying on its initiative with the University of the West Indies to have teachers in specialised areas fill some of the vacancies.
Teachers Colleges are also being targeted to fill some posts.
"Is that adequate? Not just yet. We still have an ongoing need for teachers in a number of different specialisations," she confessed. "So I know we will continue to work with our principals; we've given guidelines in terms of hiring and so on."
