BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MINISTER of Education the Hon. Nigel Carty has cited a lack of communication as the main reason behind the issues surrounding the Basseterre High School (BHS).
Over the past several months, students and teachers have complained of sicknesses which they attributed to the environment at the school. The school was closed on two occasions and Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Caribbean Research Institute (CARIRI) was called in to assess and test the BHS grounds.
Speaking during a sitting of Parliament earlier this week, Minister Carty stated that the Ministries of Health and Education have been working together to resolve the issues at the school.
“I think the country is aware that we brought CARIRI into the country in May of this year to do an assessment of where we are with the implementation with the recommendations that CARIRI made in 2013.”
Carty added that one of the main observations from the report of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) was that miscommunication was a major issue surrounding the issue.
“We received a report from CARPHA on the July 10 which was shared with the entire public of St. Kitts and Nevis, in fact the entire world on July 15. That report was made available to all and sundry.
“I believe…that one of the very important series of recommendations were made in relation to communication issues about the Basseterre High School matter. Both CARIRI and CARPHA have said lack of communication and bad publicity is part of the issue that we are facing.
“And so between the CARPHA report and the CARIRI report, we have had six or seven recommendations speaking directly to the issue of ensuring that there is proper communication about the Basseterre High School.”
The Education Minister however disclosed that an effort has already been made to avoid the problem.
“One of the things we have done is to avoid the attempt of miscommunication in relation to the Basseterre High School. Therefore we have brought all stakeholders on board we have met the parents, teachers, Teachers Union, Ministry of health and Public Works and we have agreed to work hand-in-hand.”