BUT says plight of St John’s Primary staff, students needs urgent attention

By Sheria Brathwaite

The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) is demanding that Minister of Education Kay McConney address the health and safety concerns of students and teachers at St John’s Primary School.
Noting that several teachers and teachers at the rural school had reported ill during the week, union president Rudy Lovell said the need for intervention is now urgent.
“The union is gravely concerned about the health and safety of students and teachers given the history of illness relating to teachers and students at that school,” Lovell said in an interview with Barbados TODAY on Friday.
“The effects of the environment are causing teachers and students to fall ill with various respiratory ailments. This is not sitting well with the teachers and they are seeking to get transfers.”
Over the past several years, the union has been complaining about environmental issues at that primary school which has 18 teachers and about 124 students.
Lovell said three teachers were on sick leave since last week and many did not report for duty this week.
On Wednesday, only five teachers reported for work, while 99 students attended classes. On Thursday, three teachers showed up for duty and 80 students went to school. On Friday, about ten teachers went to work but some of them reported feeling ill and left the compound. Meanwhile, only 25 children were at school.
Lovell said the union was concerned about the prevalence of mould in many schools as it can be dangerous and have significant effects.
“Some persons are sensitive to mould/fungi and exposure to these hazards causes various health effects. Persons with underlying respiratory issues, asthma or immunosuppression may be more sensitive to mould/fungi, resulting in more intense reactions in these individuals. Exposure to these hazards can result in acute or chronic effects,” he said.
Lovell pointed out that prolonged exposure to mould/fungi can cause many health symptoms including: aches and pains; allergic or inflammatory reactions; chronic sinus problems; fatigue; vomiting; neurological problems; nose bleeding; rashes; sore throat; and watery eyes.
“We, therefore, encourage workers to seek medical attention if exposed to mould/fungi,” the BUT president said.
Teachers had reported that mould was in many of the cupboards and other areas of the school.
Lovell said he understood that an environmentalist and a mould remediation specialist had taken samples and inspected the over 100-year-old building on Friday.
He added that an education officer also visited the school and took reports from teachers, while the Parliamentary Representative for St John Charles Griffith also showed up.
While the situation at St John’s Primary was of particular focus on Friday, Lovell said the union continued to see a repeat pattern of neglect regarding safety and health of teachers and students in schools.
“Matters are only addressed after mass illness of school occupants. So we are continuing the call for proper maintenance of schools in Barbados and for health and safety issues to be urgently addressed when they arise. We want the Minister of Education to address concerns regarding health and safety in our schools in a similar fashion as she did with the controversial gender neutral bathroom rumours at St Philip Primary on Thursday,” the union boss said.
When contacted, Deputy Chief Education Officer Joy Adamson told Barbados TODAY she was not in a position to give a report at this time.
“We are collecting information and doing work as it relates to St John, so I don’t think I am at a stage where I can give a report about St John,” she said.
sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb