No word yet on reopening of Parkinson Memorial Secondary

It is unclear whether face-to-face classes will resume at the Parkinson Memorial Secondary School next Monday.

Deputy general secretary of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) Asha Yearwood told Barbados TODAY that the Ministry of Education had not indicated how lessons would proceed next week, following two days of online classes as the school remained closed for authorities to try to determine what caused some students and staff to fall ill.

However, she said, investigations continued on Friday and “there are indicators that the problem could be an environmental problem but a source has not yet been found”. 

On Wednesday, a number of students and teachers in one block at the Pine, St Michael school reported feeling unwell and had to seek medical attention. Since then, classes have been conducted online. 

A number of tests were conducted following the incident. 

The National Petroleum Corporation (NPC) used leak detection equipment while the Barbados Fire Department tested for the presence of flammable gases. No evidence of any gases was found. 

Officials from the NPC and Ministry of Health also conducted various exercises on and near the compound on Thursday. (SZB)