Classes affected by construction

Ongoing construction of the Maria Holder Nursery School in Government Hill, St Michael has resulted in a disruption of classes at the nearby Springer Memorial Secondary School.

A source close to the developments told Barbados TODAY the construction has resulted in a lot of dust in the area.

The project which started on April 22,  is scheduled to be completed on July 13, 2020. Parents of the Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary School were notified in an April 16 letter from Principal Dr Monica Walton that the construction area would be properly fenced to “ensure the safety of students and school personnel”.

However, with Springer Memorial Secondary School located downwind from the development classes have been interrupted.

President of the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union Mary-Anne Redman told Barbados TODAY Acting Principal of the school Mitchelle Maxwell held a meeting with the staff to determine ways of mitigating the ill effects of the construction.

“The school day will be shortened to allow for heavy construction work to start after that time. School ends at 1.p.m. The Principal and union have also agreed that classrooms and staff rooms are wiped down before the start of school every day. These measures were put in place to ensure that there is minimal discomfort and health threats to staff and students alike,” Redman said.

A circular signed by Maxwell said upon receiving permission from the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training the school would be closing at 1 p.m. from Monday, May 13 to Friday May 24, 2019.

The circular also noted students were required to attend school only on days identified during weeks five and six.

First-year-students were expected to report for school today May 13, and again on Monday, May 20 next week. Second-year students are expected at school again on Tuesday, May 21. Third year-students are required to attend school on Thursday, May 16 and Wednesday, May 22  only while fourth year-students will report to the Government Hill, St Michael institution for classes on Friday May 17 this week as well as Thursday, May 23  and Friday, May 24.