Scores of teachers call in sick at two schools

By Sheria Brathwaite

Education officials and union leaders were left puzzled by yet another sickout by 50 teachers at two public schools on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Education closed The Lester Vaughan School in Cane Garden, St Thomas after 30 teachers called in sick but kept the St Giles Primary School in Ivy, St Michael open, saying there were enough staff to supervise students, after 20 teachers reportedly stayed away, according to the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT).

BUT President Rudy Lovell told Barbados TODAY he could not explain what led to the sickout.

“It could be a number of reasons. The dust/haze could be a contributing factor, the respiratory illnesses that are going around could be a contributing factor. The Barbados Union of Teachers will investigate and make comments at an appropriate time,” he said.

In a statement, the Ministry of Education said: “The Lester Vaughan School was closed this afternoon after several teachers did not report to the school, or were otherwise unavailable for other reasons. 

“One contributing factor was a senior class trip, which required a few teachers to accompany the students. While there were a few teachers already out on sick leave, today’s
absences put further strain on the already limited teaching complement, and the decision was taken to close the school after lunch.”

The ministry said it would advise parents and guardians of Lester Vaughan’s status on Thursday.

As for St Giles Primary, the ministry said teachers were previously on sick leave but it was not necessary to close the school, even though some parents opted to collect their wards before school’s end.

Classes were combined and there was adequate teaching staff to provide instruction, it said.

Last year, classes at Lester Vaughan were disrupted on multiple occasions when teachers reported feeling ill. 

The school has been having environmental issues since 2008. Last November, a group of more than 20 teachers had also demanded an urgent audience with top education officials. Instead of teaching, they visited the headquarters of the ministry and insisted on speaking to the Chief Education Officer. Supported by the BUT, they complained of respiratory illnesses. (SZB)