BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ACCORDING to information which has reached SKNVibes, the Arbitration Committee, which was set up to break the deadlock between the St. Kitts Teachers Union (SKTU) and the Ministry of Education concerning the Basseterre High School situation, unanimously decided today (Nov. 6) that the school body is to resume the shift system with the Washington Archibald High School (WAHS) with immediate effect.
Arbitration was suggested by the Ministry of Education, the SKTU agreed and two from each group were appointed for the Committee of four.
SKNVibes understands that for the Ministry of Education, Dr. Ken Ballantyne and Rev. Isaiah Phillip were selected and Wendy Phipps and Dr. Bichara Sahely were selected for the SKTU.
The details of the process are not available but SKNVibes understands that the Arbitration Committee is expected to release its statement on the matter by tomorrow morning.
Over the past few weeks in particular, the Ministry and the teachers of the Basseterre High School have been butting heads on the matter with one side adamant that the school’s environment is contaminated – even though testing was conducted by regional bodies (CARPHA and CARIRI) – and the other equally resolute that the school is fit for use.
Both teachers and students have complained of illnesses which include debilitating headaches, chemical burns, respiratory problems and rashes and the teachers have been lobbying, via protests and other means, for the school body to be extracted from the BHS compound and alternative accommodation found while the environmental issues are addressed.
On two occasions the school had to be closed and on one occasion, the students and teachers were engaged in a shift system with the WAHS, which is in proximity. That situation is the one that, according to the Committee, would be returned to with immediate effect.
More details would be provided on this matter as they become available.
