Tensions rose in the House of Assembly today as the opposition and government sparred over the issue of Health and Safety at Frank Roberts Junior High.

Students and parents protested outside of the school late last week, demanding that issues with the building be addressed and new school be built.

PC education critic and area MHA Barry Petten questioned Minister John Haggie about whether he would commit to a full structural and environmental assessment of the building.

Haggie responded by tabling the two recent inspection reports and some numbers related to attendance at the school throughout the month of May.

Haggie says they are providing the House with factual reports that come from trustworthy and independent sources, and Petten “just doesn’t like what he’s hearing.” Petten quipped back by saying people in his district deserve better, and asks Haggie to address a multitude of issues at the school.

With two exceptions, attendance at the school has been around the 80 percent mark for the entire month. On the day of the protest, attendance was 33 percent.