Update: St Bernard’s Primary School will reopen its doors on Monday following a temporary closure due to health concerns involving several students.
The Ministry of Educational Transformation (MEdT) confirmed the reopening in a statement issued today.
All staff and students are expected to return to the classroom, and a meeting will be held at 8:45 a.m. with the Chief Medical Officer, The Most Honourable Dr Kenneth George, and Chief Education Officer, along with their respective teams.
The school was closed on July 3 and 4 to allow for industrial cleaning, after several students from one class developed a rash and peeling skin on their hands.
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Earlier story
St Bernard’s Primary School has been closed for industrial cleaning following reports of a possible health issue affecting students.
According to a press release issued today, The Ministry of Educational Transformation, said it was alerted on Friday, June 27, after the school’s principal reported that four students from one class were showing signs of rash and skin peeling on their hands.
Parents and guardians of the remaining students in the class were asked to collect their children and seek medical attention.
On Tuesday, July 1, the Acting Deputy Chief Education Officer led a team to the school to meet with staff and hear their concerns.
Students were dismissed at 1 p.m. to allow the meeting to take place.
Following that session, the ministry contacted the Senior Environmental Health Officer and arranged a site visit for the next day.
On Wednesday, July 2, a team of two nurses from the Maurice Byer Polyclinic and two officers from the Environmental Health Department visited the school.
Five more students were observed with similar symptoms.
The matter was reported to Chief Medical Officer The Most Honourable Dr Kenneth George.
He recommended an industrial cleaning of the school while investigations continued.
The school was closed on Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4, to allow the cleaning to be completed.
Officials have not confirmed the cause of the symptoms.
MEdT said it is working closely with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and is awaiting further advice from the Chief Medical Officer. (PR)
