Principal urges: Resolve issues at St John Primary

By Anesta Henry Principal of St John Primary School Magaret Grant has made a fresh appeal for the environmental issues at the rural primary school to be resolved. She said noise, poor ventilation, mould growth in some areas, and dust continue to plague the school environment despite several attempts at remediation. Last month, Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) president Rudy Lovell called on authorities to urgently address the health and safety concerns at the school, pointing out that several teachers and students had been reporting ill. Delivering the principal’s report at the school’s graduation ceremony at the Messiah Wesleyan Holiness Worship Centre, Massiah Street, St John, Grant appealed for a solution, stressing that effective teaching and learning, management and organisation cannot occur in disruptive conditions. “During the year, there were disruptions to work and learning due to several factors which resulted in illness in both students and staff. At this point, I wish to emphasise that educational research suggests a strong correlation between a negative physical environment and its impact on job satisfaction and productivity. “In the International Journal of Research and Review, the abstract of an article entitled Effect of the Physical Work Environment on Employee Performance through Job Satisfaction indicates a significant effect on worker performance and job satisfaction,” Grant highlighted. Turning her attention to the graduates, the principal told them to build on the foundation laid at the primary stages of their education. She encouraged them to take one step at a time as they climb the ladder of life. “Sometimes you may be successful in your climb, but then a situation arises where you become stuck, and that’s where problem-solving skills and decision-making skills are needed. In climbing the ladder of life, you must start at the bottom in order to reach the top of the summit of the mountain,” the principal added. Delivering the feature address, Justice Christopher Birch asked the graduates to hold onto childhood moments as long as they could and not rush to grow up. In fact, the judge warned the students to leave “adult things to adults” and resist getting involved in inappropriate activities. “Take time, trust me on this. Too many boys and girls rush to be men and women and then one day, they wonder what was the rush. Why was I in such a hurry? Every criminal, the people who fall short, the people who get into trouble, you know why they get there? They are in too much of a hurry. “What you can work and earn, they want to choke and rob and get right now. It can’t work. That is not for you; none of you. Take your time,” Justice Birch urged. Member of Parliament for St John Charles Griffith presented graduates Janiyah Hewitt and Jayden Howard with the awards for most improved female and male, respectively. anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb]]>