Lester Vaughn teachers ready to return to in-person tutoring

Despite lingering concerns about environmental issues at the Lester Vaughan School, teachers are prepared to resume in-person classes when the new term starts, according to the President of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) Rudy Lovell.

He told Barbados TODAY that after a meeting with the staff on Wednesday, the educators confirmed their intention to return to the school when the third term begins later this month. However, he disclosed that following medical checks, doctors have advised two teachers not to return to the compound due to existing health issues.

“As you would appreciate, the staff still has reservations about returning but they have determined that they will return to the school environment. However, they are imploring the Ministry of Education to do the things that they indicated that they will do,” the BUT head said. “I believe that school will be a go in April.”

The school has faced several environmental issues since around 2018 which have led to some teachers and students falling ill. But recent independent tests on each block, the drainage system, and a nearby cave system revealed no harmful gases that could have caused the reported symptoms.

Lovell said stakeholders must continue to monitor the situation, even though the latest tests did not reveal any impurities compromising the air quality.

“There needs to be continual monitoring of the environment,” he said. “We also would want to find out from the powers that be, the pollutants that existed in the environment previously that led to persons falling ill.

“Whatever contributed to the ailments of teachers need to be made clear.”

Lovell added: “I think the public can trust that teachers have suffered significantly as a result of the environment, and you know they will be sceptical based on the previous promises made to them that were not kept…. Everything [must be] done to ensure their health and safety.”

The Ministry of Education has reported that in-person classes for fourth and fifth-form students who are completing their School-Based Assessments (SBAs) have been going well so far. According to the ministry’s statement, 55 per cent of mechanical engineering students arrived at the school on Tuesday to complete their SBAs and the number increased to 75 per cent on Wednesday.

The statement also noted that 67 per cent of Technical Drawing SBA assignments have been completed. The Theatre Arts SBA assessment was conducted on Monday, while all Visual Arts SBAs have been completed.
(SB)