Classes at multiple schools disrupted because of odours

President of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), Rudy Lovell, has confirmed that at least three schools have recently been affected by strong odours, leading to the closure of some institutions and raising fresh concerns about environmental safety at the island’s schools.

Speaking to Barbados TODAY on Thursday, Lovell said the union was aware of reports circulating about possible environmental issues at Luther Thorne.

“There has been an odour affecting the school for the past three days and today the ministry closed the school,” he said.

He further disclosed that a similar situation has disrupted operations in the north of the island.

“I can also tell you that Darryl Jordan Secondary School has been closed due to an odour and the odour that has caused the school to be closed is also affecting the primary school, referring to the nearby St Lucy’s Primary School.

“The secondary school has been closed but the primary school is still open, but the problem is also affecting the teachers and the students at the primary school,” Lovell explained.

Asked whether discussions had been held with the ministry of Education regarding the impact of these odours on staff and students, the BUT head replied, “No, there has been no contact between the union and the ministry for the past two weeks.”

Lovell stressed that the decisions to suspend classes were not made by teachers but by the ministry itself.

“The schools were closed due to an odour impacting both schools. The ministry gave permission for the schools to be closed.”

He also confirmed that St Silas Primary was closed on Tuesday due to a strong odour coming from a nearby farm.

Efforts to get a comment from the Ministry of Education were unsuccessful up to press time. (SZB)