Confusion at Charles F. Broome as parents rush to collect students

Confusion and concern unfolded at Charles F. Broome Memorial School on Friday morning as parents rushed to collect their children despite the Ministry of Education indicating the institution had been cleared to reopen.

The school had been closed half-day on Wednesday and throughout Thursday following concerns about a possible rat infestation. In a statement issued Thursday night, the Ministry said the school was ready to resume classes on Friday after industrial cleaning and remedial works were completed.

However, when Barbados TODAY visited the school on Friday morning, students were seen outside classrooms and on the pasture, with limited evidence of structured lessons taking place. Several parents were also observed arriving to collect their children.

By late morning, traffic congestion had built up along the roadway outside the school as vehicles queued while parents made their way onto the compound.

Up to around midday, there was no official communication indicating that classes had been suspended or that parents should collect students. Despite this, multiple parents said they were alerted through informal channels, including WhatsApp groups and word-of-mouth.

Parent Albert Cornibert said he only became aware of the situation through a parents’ chat.

“I just received one of my sons… from what I’ve seen over the last couple of hours, it’s nonsense, in my opinion. Parents were not called or told anything, so it’s messed up,” he said.

Cornibert added that he was “disappointed” with how the situation was handled and suggested the school may have reopened too soon.

“It should have been opened Monday,” he said.

Representatives from the Barbados Union of Teachers were also on site as concerns continued to mount.

Reports of a possible rodent infestation and a strong chemical odor have circulated.