“Cow itch” forces school’s closure

The Daryl Jordan Secondary School was abruptly closed today after teachers were forced to seek medical attention after being affected by cow itch.

According to reports, the St Lucy school was closed just after noon after teachers complained to the principal of suffering from itchy skin.

President of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), Rudy Lovell told Barbados TODAY the owners of the land infested with the cow itch have promised to address the issue as soon as possible.

As a result, he said the school’s plant would be closed on Friday and next Monday to facilitate that cleaning. It is hoped that the school would reopen on Tuesday.

Lovell said during that time classes would be held virtually.

“Safety and health at work, school or play is a fundamental right and should be afforded to all. Teachers today, while on the compound of the Daryl Jordan Secondary School, were experiencing the effects of cow itch and it became unbearable. The teachers, obviously fearing for their health and safety, informed the principal that they were going to seek medical attention and the school was subsequently closed.

“The school will be closed tomorrow and Monday and teachers and students will return to the plant on Tuesday,” Lovell confirmed.

He said the situation was brought to the attention of Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw.

“I was subsequently informed that the entity responsible for the land is going to move swiftly to cover the cow itch with some dirt to stop the problem from recurring,” Lovell added. (RB)