Frustrated teachers could take action

Teachers at the Lawrence T Gay Memorial School are threatening to “remove themselves” from a toxic environment that has resulted in numerous students and teachers suffering severe illness and many others seeking transfers since the resumption of school in September.

Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) President Pedro Shepherd told Barbados TODAY that action could be taken as early as this week, if key officials in the Ministries of Health and Labour continue to drag their feet while teachers continue to suffer.

“[The situation] is now at the point that if [the Ministries of Health and Labour] refuse to go in this week, we may very well have to ask our members to remove themselves from the environment. We already have a teacher who was transferred for medical reasons because her doctor asked her not to return to the environment, and we will have to act if the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Health refuse to do what they have to do within the next few days,” he said.

Shepherd said a virtual meeting would be held on Monday evening to discuss the way forward.

His complaints coincided with a six-member parent protest that occured on Monday, outside the Spooner’s Hill, St Michael school.

Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) president Steffanie Williams was among the picketing parents. She told Barbados TODAY she was participating as a person “very concerned” and “disturbed” by a lack of action from authorities.

She complained that even after a day off in early October, due to an “odour”, no serious action had been taken.

“It is not fair that teachers have to teach under duress. It is not fair that parents have to be called for their children. It is not fair that school is closed on Friday and then reopened on Monday morning as if nothing has happened. We need something done today. That is the point that we are at,” Williams explained.

Students and staff have been complaining of irritated eyes, burning skin, sore throat, and hives. In more severe cases, there have been reports of shortness of breath, headaches and diarrhoea, and one student was allegedly diagnosed with bronchial spasms.

The issues that date as far back as 2015 are believed to be associated with nearby auto-body and mechanic workshops, from which a strong scent of oil and paint has been emanating. There have also been complaints about the burning of tyres and livestock farming that reportedly occurs nearby.

In response to the concerns, authorities trimmed trees, cleaned sewage lines and grease traps, replaced ceilings and roofs, and even removed fiberglass from the compound, after an independent assessment from consulting firm Resource Environmental Associates (REA).

According to reports, the firm also recommended that surrounding businesses be investigated to determine their possible connection with the issues. These investigations have reportedly been entrusted to the Ministries of Labour and Health.

Chief Education Officer Joy Adamson confirmed that the matter had been passed on to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of the Ministry of Health. The issue was raised as recently as Friday during a meeting between the BUT and the Minister of Education.

When Barbados TODAY contacted the EDP’s Dalkeith, St Michael office, Acting Director Anthony Headley was unavailable.

Williams, meanwhile, explained that her daughter, who is a Class Four student, had to take an Electrocardiogram (ECG) test.

Doctors had also advised her daughter’s teacher to transfer, leaving students with low morale as they prepare for next year’s Common Entrance Exam.

(kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb)