BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WHILE a message from the Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA) of the Basseterre High School (BHS) has been floating around social media advising parents of students enrolled there to withhold their children therefrom because of the current situation, the Ministry of Education has indicated that all teachers and students assigned to the BHS are to report for work and school tomorrow (Nov. 3) as per the usual.
The advisory – said to have originated from the BHS PTA – informs that “Parents of students attending the Basseterre High School are asked to keep their children at home until further notice as students and teachers alike continue to report several symptoms including skin rashes, debilitating headaches and difficulty breathing.”
The advisory also indicated the teachers’ intent to “continue to agitate for improved conditions of work and to preserve the integrity of the BHS family. We deeply regret any inconvenience caused and hope for a swift resolution to the current impasse. Thanks for your kind cooperation.”
A counteractive release issued by the Ministry of Education via St. Kitts Nevis Information Service (SKNIS), indicates that it has “become aware of rumours purportedly giving notice that there will be no school at the Basseterre High School on Monday 03 November 2014”.
Categorising the “rumours” as “false”, the Ministry has advised that it “has given no such instruction or notice with respect to the operation of the BHS and hereby gives firm notice of the following: 1. That school operations at the BHS will continue on Monday and hence forth until further notice 2. That the Ministry expects that all teachers assigned to BHS will report for classes on Monday and henceforth.”
The Education Ministry’s communique expresses that while it is “aware of allegations of continued environmental concerns at the Basseterre High School”, “Public Health Authorities continue to declare that the environment at BHS (is) safe…based on all professional and scientific advice…”
For the past couple of weeks, teachers, some students and some parents have engaged in protest action, agitating for safer and healthy working and learning environment.
Several individuals have reported a number of illnesses including those of a respiratory nature, debilitating headaches, rashes and chemical burns, all which they claim to be a result of the BHS environment.
The Ministry’s release indicated that it is “committed to the Education of our children and the health and safety of all students and teachers” but according to teachers and some students, enough is not being done by the Ministry to seek to remedy the problem.
