Problems return to primary school

Environmental challenges have disrupted classes at the Lawrence T Gay School, the Barbados Union of Teachers disclosed on Thursday.

A contingent of officers from the BUT including President Rudy Lovell and General Secretary Hebert Gittens toured the Spooner’s Hill, St Michael institution which has been plagued with problems in 2019 and 2020.

“We have been told that teachers have been experiencing some gaseous smells. They are experiencing headaches, there is a foul odour, itchy skin, a burning sensation in the throat and so on. These are complaints which are similar to what would have happened before,” Gittens told Barbados TODAY on the compound of the school.

He said the problems started last Friday and continued this week disrupting classes.

“One block had to be closed off yesterday. This is affecting classes two, three and four, and we understand over 150 students.” According to the BUT boss, officials from the Ministries of Health and Wellness and the Environment visited the school this morning and investigations have started.

“We know that these are serious health and safety concerns and from a union point of view we are very concerned. We will liaise with the Ministry of Education who we understand is currently waiting on a report from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Environment,” Gittens said.

Efforts to reach Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw up to the time of publication were unsuccessful.

Gittens said: “We expect that the ministry will act quickly to ensure that the health and safety of students and our members, the teachers are not seriously compromised.” (SD)