BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – EDUCATION MINISTER the Hon. Shawn K. Richards has informed that the Report on the Basseterre High School compiled by the NIOSH has been received and is awaiting review by the Federal Cabinet.
Minister Richards made the declaration during the Parliamentary Sitting on Tuesday (Jun. 30).
He prefaced it by explaining that the Basseterre High School situation has caused the government some concern even while it was in opposition.
He expressed that while in opposition, “We didn’t feel that the authorities then were giving due care and attention to the students and teachers at the Basseterre High School.”
Richards reminded that tests and investigations were conducted by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Caribbean Industrial Research Institution (CARIRI), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Seismic Research Center at the University of the West Indies, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in May 2015.
The Minister said the report was only received the day prior to the Parliamentary Sitting and that the relevant stakeholders are aware of the transfer.
“I want to put it on record, and we have been very transparent with this particular matter to date…that it was only yesterday afternoon (Jun. 29) we received the Report from NIOSH. The Teachers Union is aware of the fact that the report has been received. Cabinet is aware of the fact that the report has been received. However, Cabinet has not had the opportunity as yet to review that report.”
The Education Minister said the Report would be available to the public after it was reviewed by Cabinet.
“Let it also be known that it is our intention to meet with the different stakeholders to discuss the report and to discuss the way forward for the Basseterre High School…”
