Teachers’ union demands probe after staff, pupils fall ill at Mount Tabor Primary

The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) on Friday called for an urgent review of safety protocols after staff and pupils at Mount Tabor Primary School in St John reportedly experienced respiratory problems and other symptoms linked to agricultural spraying in a nearby field.

According to the union, the incident occurred on Wednesday when a field located above the school was treated, resulting in several people on the compound becoming unwell.  

First vice-president of the BUT, Julian Pierre, told Barbados TODAY that both adults and students reported a range of symptoms, including nausea, itching, and burning of the skin and eyes. In at least one instance, a person reportedly vomited.  

“Persons were unwell,” he said, adding that the situation raised serious concerns about safety on the school compound.  

But Pierre criticised the decision not to close the school following the incident, arguing that stronger precautionary measures should have been taken.  

“We believe that in cases like this, there should be closure of schools and then an investigation take place,” he said.  

This follows a similar situation occurring simultaneously at Charles F. Broome Memorial School, where students and staff reported health concerns linked to environmental conditions, prompting an early closure on Friday.  

Pierre took issue with what he described as a common response from authorities when such incidents are reported.  

“In some of these cases, where principals report issues to the Ministry of Education Transformation, they are told to monitor the situation,” he said.  

“We don’t believe that this is fair to persons on the compound to be told to monitor a situation where they are suffering in the field, pending an investigation.”  

He stressed that, in situations where health and safety may be compromised, immediate action should be taken to remove individuals from the affected environment.  

“We believe that persons should leave the environment which is affecting their safety and health,” Pierre said, noting that such measures are supported under the Safety and Health at Work Act.  

The union is now calling for a review of how similar incidents are handled, as well as clearer protocols to ensure the protection of students and staff.  

(SM)