By Claudia Liburd
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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| Principal Wakely Daniel/Photo by Claudia Liburd |
(Charlestown; Nevis): Asbestos contamination in the roof of the Ivor Walters Primary School caused the staff and pupils to relocate to the Brown Hill Senior Citizens Home on Monday.
However, many parents were initially concerned about the cleanliness and sanitation of the new school building. In response school Principal, Wakely Daniel explained that the move was long overdue and that the new building was properly fumigated and sanitized before it was inhabited.
~~Adz:Right~~"The Health Unit came and fumigated the entire building to ensure that there were no infectious viruses or bacteria. After that the Public Works Department came and built an additional wing for Grade 6 and the garage was renovated to accommodate Grade 5. They also cleared the back yard to create a play area for the children."
He explained that though the work on the Brown Hill building was long overdue it was put off due to the fact that an outside agency was funding the work namely the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
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| Students from Grade Five |
This is a longstanding problem. I began my stint here at the school around 2004 and I was told by both parents and teachers that even before my time that they have been advocating for the asbestos to be removed, Daniel said.
We have had quite a lot of visits from members of the CDB. Normally with international donors and agencies it takes quite a while and of course there is a long bidding process and tenders have to be out.
Presently, the roof of the upper section of the Ivor Walters Primary School is contaminated with asbestos. This would include Grades 4-6 as well as the Computer and Science Labs.
Reconstruction has not yet begun and presently school officials are still unable to say when the staff and students will be able to return to the site at Brown Hill due to the health hazards associated with asbestos.
Asbestos is fibrous mineral which is often used for insulation in roofing. The inhalation of some kinds of asbestos fibers, however, can cause a number of serious illnesses, including cancer and its use has been banned in many countries.
