BSTU concerned about students not observing COVID-19 rules

While a COVID-19 case is being investigated at the Princess Margaret Secondary School, the Barbados Secondary Teachers Union (BSTU) is concerned about a lack of conformity to safety protocols by some students who are not wearing masks and practising physical distancing.

In addition, a statement issued by BSTU on Friday evening outlined that the conflicting situation of requiring that classrooms be properly ventilated to mitigate against the spread of infection, especially with only three feet distancing, is greatly compromised in the on-going circumstances, where at many schools windows have to be closed to prevent the entrance into classrooms of residual ash.

According to the statement: “This lack of ventilation poses a serious potential threat in a situation where many sick youth are asymptomatic”.

The correspondence also indicated that shop stewards at some schools have also indicated that not in conformity with the written protocols; there was a lack of appropriate signage, a lack of physical distancing markings, a lack of isolation sick bays for students and teachers as required in addition to a lack of Health and Safety Committees. Teachers are also concerned that staff rooms have not been organized to reflect physical distancing.

These concerns were raised during a meeting held on Thursday between BSTU’s executive and its membership to address the issue of the confirmation of a positive case of COVID-19 at Princess Margaret Secondary.

The statement also indicated that the Union will write to the Ministry of Health to request a zoom meeting with Ministry officials, members of the COVID-19 Unit and its own membership for the necessary exchange of information clarification of issues and concerns from both parties.

“As was initially discussed, the BSTU will also underscore the need of the members of the COVID-19 unit to visit the schools while they are in session. The will facilitate a real-time practical understanding of the day-to-day realities of school environments and the resulting potential to implement successfully their recommendations,” the statement said.

“The BSTU has written today to both the Permanent Secretaries in the Ministries of Education and Health outlining the outcomes of our meeting and, in the case of the Ministry of Health requesting a meeting. We have already received a response from the Ministry of Health of their willingness to meet with the membership on Tuesday next week”. (AH)