Fix is in for Milton Lynch Primary – BUT

The Ministry of Education appears to have made good on its promise to fix myriad health and safety concerns at the Milton Lynch Primary School plant during the Easter break, according to the president of the Barbados Union of Teachers, Sean Spencer.

“To my knowledge there is work on going at the Milton Lynch Primary School. We do know for fact that the air conditioning units would have been looked at. There was also some fencing work done but the heavier work would be a matter for the summer. As it stands right now some work has been done and we will go there and have a final assessment to map out what more needs to be done.”

The union leader was speaking on the sidelines of the BUT’s 45th annual general conference at the Savannah Hotel in Hastings, Christ Church.

Two months ago, Spencer revealed that the buildings were in desperate need of maintenance. He charged that the school was infested with termites and rodents, and plagued by poor toilet facilities and ventilation issues. In addition to the problems on the inside, a vacant field with cow-itch vines was affecting students and teachers.

The ministry has since carried out industrial cleaning of the school and promised to carry out more extensive work while the students are away on vacation. Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw also gave the assurance that the ministry would address similar complaints at other schools on a case-by-case basis.

Spencer, who is seeking to retain his presidency on April 12 against three challengers in the BUT elections, told Barbados TODAY this morning that he is heartened by the education ministry’s intent to address the long-running issues.

“This tells me that there is some intent to address the issues and if there are problems with the financial gap, I am willing to think that they would address this and have us come on board so that we can visit these schools, speak to our members and help to create solutions.” 

“This is not just about having these things done but having them done properly. We want to get things to the point where it can lend to more salubrious surroundings around the school and things that we experience now will become a thing of the past in the next ten to 15 years,” he said.