Controversy Arises Over Closure of St Bartholomew Primary School, Ministry and Union Clash Over Reasons

Exactly who, how and why St Bartholomew Primary School closed midway through Tuesday is now the subject of fierce contention between the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) and the Ministry of Education.

Classes resumed on Wednesday.

But union president Rudy Lovell declared there were some inconsistencies in the ministry’s statement on what transpired at the Parish Land, Christ Church school and what led to its early closure.

While the union contends that a foul odour from the incinerator at the Grantley Adams International Airport drove students and teachers from classes, the Ministry of Education blamed an unidentified individual for turning away students from the school and said a check with the airport revealed the furnace had not been fired up that day.

“The Barbados Union of Teachers is shocked by the comments made in a recent press release by the ministry, which suggests some impropriety on the part of an unknown individual at the St. Bartholomew Primary School,” Lovell told Barbados TODAY. “The union reminds the ministry that under Part 11 of the General Duties of the Safety and Health at Work Act, the ministry has a duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all of its employees. The staff at the St Bartholomew Primary School is still waiting to hear from their employer regarding the impact of the incinerator on their physical and mental health. Issuing inaccurate press releases is not the way to communicate with your employees.”

But in response, ministry spokeswoman Gaynelle Marshall said: “The ministry will not be engaging in this, rather it will continue to work with all stakeholders to find a solution for all involved.”

On Tuesday, St Bartholomew was closed early on what was supposed to be the first day of the resumption of classes since last Thursday’s premature closure. The ministry said in a statement that it was informed that only seven students were in attendance and that “an individual at the school was reportedly turning away parents with their children, citing air effects from incineration activity at the Grantley Adams International Airport”.

When a Barbados TODAY team visited the school during lunchtime on Wednesday, several students were playing on the hard court. (SZB)