The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is calling for a comprehensive review of schools, following a number of recent health and environmental issues.
The DLP spokesperson on education, Quincy Jones, pointed to:
• St Bartholomew Primary School, which reported rodent and roach infestation;
• St Paul’s Primary School, with a suspected gastroenteritis outbreak;
• Christ Church Girls’ School, with rotten roofing and termite dust;
• Mount Tabor Primary School, where there was a strong odour of chemicals;
• Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary School, where environmental issues disrupted classes; and
• Hilda Skeene Primary School, where he said “rats and rubbish” forced the closure of the school.
Jones proposed upgrades that included improved ventilation, modern washrooms and solutions for ageing buildings affected by poor air quality and mould, as well as a national schools’ environmental audit, involving immediate inspections to identify and address health risks across every institution.
Attorney Amoy Gilding-Bourne, who ran for the DLP in Christ Church East, said she was particularly disturbed by what was happening at St Bartholomew
Primary School.
“I have many constituents who have children who attend St Bartholomew Primary School, so I’m concerned about the health and safety of the students and the teachers, as well as the potential hazard a rat infestation could have on the surrounding communities.
“I hope that the Minister of Education listens to our spokesperson on education, Mr Quincy Jones, and the several suggestions that he made towards a resolution. This issue at St Bartholomew Primary School needs to be addressed immediately. Fix it.
“The children need to return to school and the children and the teachers must be able to operate within a space that is safe and healthy,” she said. (CA)
