Happy school return

Students and teachers at the Milton Lynch Primary School were pleased with what they saw when they returned to the classroom today.

The physical plant and surroundings of the Water Street, Christ Church all boys’ school received a much-needed facelift with extensive repairs and sanitary work being completed over the recent break. Necessary lighting fixtures were put in place, bathroom urinals and sinks replaced, and the cow-itch on the playing field removed.

One of the renovated bathrooms.

Milton Lynch students were happy after the school received a much-needed facelift.

The change was so noticeable, that one male teacher remarked that he felt “different” when he walked into the institution this morning.

The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) shop steward at the school Mark Green told Barbados TODAY teachers were pleased to see that Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw kept her word to students, staff and parents after visiting and seeing first-hand the conditions they had to endure.

“They replaced all the lighting that needed replacing, and they gave us some additional lighting as well because the school is too dark at night. They replaced all the guttering that wanted replacing, and they fixed up both boys’ bathrooms because a number of stalls and toilets were not working.

“The classrooms were cleaned, they fixed the well because a smell was coming from it. They removed the old prefab building that was termite-infested and they also treated the school for termites,” Greene said.

The fencing around the school which was another bone of contention for students and teachers, has been replaced to stop stray animals from coming onto the compound and making a mess. Fans and the air-conditioning units were also refurbished.

Green, the school’s information technology coordinator admitted that while there was work still to be done, improving the sanitary conditions made a significant difference to those that go there to work and learn. He said the dirty, dusty conditions had become a major bother for them.

“We are happy with what has been done. We know there is more to be done but we are aware it is going to take time before everything is completed. But for now, the environment feels cleaner, it feels a lot better and it makes you feel as though you are coming to an environment where you really want to now give 100 per cent.

“The students are feeling good about the classrooms and about how the overall environment. The boys are happy that they are now able to go back on the pasture. We really appreciate the fact that the ministry came and saw the issues that we were complaining about and took steps to make it better,” Green said.

Last term, a group of frustrated parents took to the sidewalk outside the school to protest a range of problems plaguing the school, including rodent and termite infestation and the unsanitary bathrooms.

During that time, Class 4 students preparing for the Common Entrance Examination in May were accommodated at the Christ Church Foundation and a nearby church.