Floor Collapse at Mount Tabor Primary School Prompts Student Relocation and Prompt Medical Response, Ministry of Education Reports

Some students at Mount Tabor Primary School in St John will be shifted to other areas on the compound after a section of the wooden floor in a pre-fabricated classroom collapsed under the weight of a janitor, says a release from the Ministry of Education.

Prompt medical attention was sought for the injured member of staff, who was transported to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital by Emergency Ambulance Service personnel.

Meanwhile, remedial work is to be undertaken on that section of the school over the next four days. Officials of the Ministry, the contractor for the building and a private engineer visited the school to inspect the damage.

The statement follows in full:

The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training moved swiftly to ensure there was a prompt medical response to a staff member at the Mount Tabor Primary School who was injured on the compound this afternoon.

Additionally, the ministry has taken immediate action to ensure that students, teachers and other members of staff are not at risk as a result of compromised physical conditions there.

This afternoon, while performing her duties, a janitor at the school was injured when a section of the wooden floor in a pre-fabricated classroom collapsed under her weight. The janitor, who complained of pain and bruising, was transported to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital by Emergency Ambulance Service personnel, while Deputy Chief Education Officer, Joy Adamson, interacted with officials at the hospital to prepare for her arrival and treatment.

At the same time, officials of the Ministry, the contractor for the building and a private engineer visited the school to inspect the building on the compound. As a result, all students assigned to that building will be accommodated in other sections of the school until remedial work is completed.

While this work is being undertaken over the next four days, there will be no interruption of classes, and the Ministry expects that the building will be ready for use again by Monday.

Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Kay McConney, has assured parents, students, teachers and other members of staff that nothing will be done to compromise their health and safety, and they will only return to the building after the engineering professionals have given the all clear.

Minister McConney also wished the injured member of staff a quick and complete recovery. (PR/SAT)