Charles F. Broome school closure leaves parents seeking answers

Parents were left in the dark about the sudden closure of Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary School on Monday, after officials gave no immediate explanation for the move and postponed communication with families until after a planned meeting with teachers.

In an evening email to parents, they were informed that the school would be closed on Tuesday to allow Ministry of Educational Transformation officials to meet with teachers.

The school was dismissed early on Monday following correspondence from Principal Paula Toppin.

Parents and guardians were advised that “due to unforeseen circumstances” they should collect their children “as soon as possible”.

When Barbados TODAY visited the Government Hill school, parents said they had either received the email or seen the alert in a WhatsApp chat.

“We received a notice via email and some of us have class chats, so that notice came probably after 11 a.m. No reason was given; we were just told to collect the kids,” one parent said.

“We would like to know what is the reason. After all, it’s our kids. Up to now, I still don’t know what is happening. This is the first time the school has closed for the term and we would like some answers.”

The Ministry of Educational Transformation had promised to issue a statement explaining the closure, but up to the time of publication, the release had not been received.

The head of the Barbados Union of Teachers’ health and safety committee, Julian Pierre, would only say the union would comment at a later date. (SZB)