School board defends actions amid DLP attacks on lengthy closure

Grantley Adams Memorial School’s prolonged closure has sparked fierce criticism, with board chairman George Griffith defending his leadership against calls for his resignation.

While Griffith insisted that safety and transparency have been prioritised, the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) has knocked the delays and demanded decisive action to resolve the crisis.

Speaking on state television CBC on Thursday night, he outlined efforts to address the infrastructural and environmental issues that have kept the school closed for most of the school term while stressing the board’s commitment to transparency, collaboration, and ensuring safety for students and staff.

“There is no, and there has been no disconnect between the Ministry of Education and the management of the school during this process,” Griffith declared. “The Ministry of Education and the board have worked harmoniously on the remediation programme.”

Acknowledging that the remedial work has taken longer than anticipated, he explained that the board has followed the guidance of a professional remediation team throughout the process. “While the remedial work has been for an extended period, the board is being guided by the recommendations of the professional remedial team. The board’s priority will always be the safety of students and staff,” he said.

The chairman also gave an assurance that the end of the remediation process is in sight. He said: “A summary of the remediation process is to be submitted to me this weekend, and a full report by early next week. There is a commitment by the Ministry of Education and indeed the board that all stakeholders are to be invited to the presentation of the full report before the reopening of the school. The remaining tasks, including cleaning grease traps and manholes, are minor and will be completed promptly, he added.

He also emphasised that transparency and communication have been central to the board’s approach. “During this process, we had several meetings with staff, parents, and the PTA, and all questions asked were effectively answered by the professional remediation team,” Griffith said. “The overriding emphasis has always been on making the school environment safe for staff and students alike.”

But despite Griffith’s reassurances, the DLP doubled down on its criticism, with shadow education minister Felicia Dujon issuing a scathing rebuke of his leadership.

In a statement issued to Barbados TODAY on Thursday evening, she called for Griffith’s immediate removal, arguing that his failure to act decisively has prolonged the closure and disrupted the lives of students, parents, and staff.

“Given the gravity of this situation, the Democratic Labour Party strongly believes that the chair of the school’s board of management should be replaced. This is not a decision we make lightly, but one that is necessary to ensure that the school can return to its proper function without further delays,” Dujon said.

She was unrelenting in her criticism of the handling of the situation, describing it as a failure to prioritise students’ education and well-being. “The prolonged closure of the school, coupled with the lack of effective communication and resolution, demonstrates that the current leadership is not equipped to manage the situation effectively,” she said.

Dujon further lambasted the delays, arguing that the failure to address the infrastructural and environmental issues in a timely manner has worsened educational disparities. “The failure to address the environmental and infrastructural challenges in a timely manner has left these students in a state of limbo,” she said. “Every child in Barbados, no matter where they live, should have equal access to quality education and be assured that their well-being is a priority.”

The DLP proposed a series of measures to address the crisis, starting with the appointment of new leadership for the school’s board of management. Dujon, a DLP vice president, argued that Griffith’s replacement must have the expertise and strategic vision to resolve the school’s challenges. “The role of the chair is to provide effective leadership, strategic direction, and resolution to crises. The students at Grantley Adams deserve nothing less than competent, proactive leadership that prioritises their education and well-being,” she asserted.

Dujon also called for the immediate implementation of academic interventions to address the learning gaps caused by the prolonged closure. “We need a comprehensive assessment of students’ academic performance to identify those who have fallen behind, followed by targeted interventions, including remedial classes and supplemental resources,” she said. “Teachers must also be equipped with the tools and support needed to implement these interventions effectively.”

Transparency and regular communication with parents and staff were also highlighted as priorities. Dujon urged: “The Ministry of Education must take the lead in providing consistent updates on the status of the school and its reopening plans. A clear and realistic timeline must be shared with parents, students, and staff, along with detailed explanations of the steps being taken to resolve the issues.”

Dujon further called for the expedited completion of environmental assessments and air quality tests to ensure the school is safe for students and staff. She demanded that the findings of these assessments be made public to restore confidence in the school’s safety. “Parents and students have a right to know that the environment they are returning to is safe. Transparency is key to rebuilding trust,” she said.