One of the fundamental requirements for learning no matter where in the world children reside is the benefit of a safe and clean classroom. Adults are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that children are equipped with the necessary tools conducive to learning.
In the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, we proudly proclaim that our children are hungry to learn and deserve the chance to soak up knowledge and opportunity at all costs. Are we paying lip service to our claims, falling short of being doers? How much are we contributing to ensuring we equip our children with the necessary tools they require for success?
Solid Leadership
Principal of the Basseterre Senior High School Mrs. Carlene Henry-Morton is one of our federation's proven leaders and experts in the field of education. From all reports, for almost five years, Mrs. Henry-Morton has ably manned the affairs of the Basseterre High School in her capacity as principal of that reputable institution.
She has had the sound support of an equally capable staff of teachers, along with parents and students. In fact, under her watch, students continue to excel in academics and sports and have become socially enriched having been ably prepared to handle life's challenges upon entry into the real world.
Henry-Morton's tenure as principal of the Basseterre Senior High School was preceded by over two dozen years of expertise as a trained teacher. She has essentially been an invaluable learning resource for hundreds of our nation’s children.
The Heart Of The Issue
Staff and students at the Basseterre High School grew concerned about their health as far back as 2011 (others claim it was long before) when complaints of headaches, skin rashes, eye problems, respiratory issues and other strange illnesses had been experienced by a number of students and teachers. Many of these complaints have been diagnosed and treated at various medical facilities in St. Kitts and even abroad.
Efforts to resolve this damning problem have been a point of contention, particularly between the Ministry of Education and the St. Kitts Nevis Teachers Union. Crass comments from top education and government officials have fueled frustration among some students, teachers and parents.
Although a genuine effort has been made to maintain a cordial relationship between teachers and the Education Ministry, many remained doubtful that a feasible outcome would ensue.
As recently as this past summer, a team of experts from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) continued its investigative and solution driven initiatives that had commenced with the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) months earlier. Both institutions made recommendations aimed at making the institution a safer work and learning environment but neither recommended the school be closed down.
Heightened Anxiety
Despite the excitement of returning to a supposedly thoroughly clean school for the commencement of the 2014 school year, the health woes of some students and teachers worsened, clearly affecting a significant part of the school's daily operations.
To the credit of education officials, efforts to implement the recommendations of CARIRI and CARPHA were made. In fact, even non-governmental organizations contributed to the cleaning recommendations proffered by both CARIRI and CARPHA .
Despite the stringent implementation of the cleaning recommendations, students and teachers continued to fall ill and many insisted that the course of action should have changed.
Education Minister Nigel Carty finally suggested that teachers who wanted out of the school could be transferred to another school while those who decided to stay would receive extra compensation. This for many was deemed further evidence of the officials' disconnect with the matter and student, teacher and parents protests continued.
In a decision brought by a four member Arbitration Panel on Thursday, November 6, 2014, with immediate effect, students and staff of the BHS were to vacate the school and commence a shift system. It seems the arbitrators rationale is that a complete closure of the school will best allow authorities to address the growing safety and health concerns that might exist at the school.
What Next?
Was keeping the students and staff at the school a responsible course of action? Are those opposed to the closure of the school privy to information that can prove the school safe for work and learning?
The alternative of transferring some staff members as Minister Carty suggested would not have put to rest the fact that students and teachers at the school continued to fall ill. It didn't solve the problem of the gripping stench emanating from specific locations at the school time and again. It didn't put to rest the anxieties of teachers, students and their parents. The crisis begged for a solution that would not make staff and students uncomfortable or fearful about their safety and health.
Though somewhat burdensome, a shift system worked fairly successfully before. This alternative may well be a more feasible option in safeguarding the health of hundreds of citizens and worth another attempt while a permanent plan of action is determined.
Health and education officials had an opportunity to do more than a walk through of the school. Officials could have shifted their work location to the school on a daily basis and stand shoulder to shoulder with staff and students since they insisted the school was safe. That's what leaders do. They make every effort to be sensitive to those they lead, rather than make demands and wield the big stick called power just because they can!
Unfortunately, some of the most ludicrous statements have been hurled at the Principal of the Basseterre High.
Those who have cast aspersions against Henry-Morton conveniently forget she is also the sister of the federation's most esteemed Ambassador and former Minister of Government under the Labour administration, Mrs. Jacinth Henry-Martin. In her capacity as Ambassador, Henry-Martin uses every opportunity to bring citizens together, barring political partisanship. She is always about the business of "country above self."
Likewise, Ms. Henry-Morton, who deeply loves her country, her students and staff, is a professional who should be revered, not castigated, for her ability to handle this extremely sensitive matter with utmost tact.
What Matters Most
Failure to provide a safe and clean environment for students in any developing society goes against the grain of good leadership. Such failure also minimizes the expectations for our children's success if they become periodically distracted because of an environment deemed unsafe. What matters most in this crisis is the well being of those who benefit from our education system; our children!
The business of "settling down" may now be a reality without the dread of sickness hanging over the heads of our nation's students and teachers.
The recent course of action determined by the arbitrators must be regarded as a step in the right direction if we truly believe that our children matter more.
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