St Paul’s Primary School will remain open despite a gastroenteritis outbreak that has already disrupted classes, sent a teacher to hospital, and forced parents to rush to collect their children yesterday.
The Brittons Cross Road, St Michael institution was thrown into uncertainty yesterday after a teacher collapsed on the compound and required medical attention, while at least one pupil also fell ill.
By midday, parents were contacted to pick up their children, and a steady stream of pupils was seen leaving the school.
Despite the scare, education officials say the school will continue face-to-face classes under strict health guidance.
Deputy Chief Education Officer Julia Beckles, speaking to the media following a meeting with staff, said the decision was based on ongoing consultations with the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
“We came, and once we were here, we had a discussion with our colleagues as to how they are feeling, and to hear their views on the situation. We understand that the protocols that the Ministry of Health did suggest are being put in place as far as the cleaning is concerned. And we did have one case of a student who was not feeling well today, just one,” she said.
Beckles said the Ministry of Education Transformation would continue to defer to health officials on the matter.
“There are protocols to be followed, and one such is that in any case where we are dealing with a matter of health, we have to take our advice and our instruction from the Ministry of Health. So we are the Ministry of Education Transformation.
“And in this matter, where there seems to be a health challenge, we are being advised by the Ministry of Health,” she explained.
The outbreak has already had a noticeable impact on attendance, with a high number of pupils absent on Tuesday and Wednesday as concerns spread among parents and staff.
The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) is taking a more cautious stance. Second vicepresident Andre Holder said the union continued to monitor developments closely and was maintaining its call for the school plant to be closed to facilitate a thorough sanitisation.
He reiterated yesterday that the union’s position was unchanged until conditions were deemed safe for the full return of in-person classes.
Meanwhile, some parents remain uneasy about the decision to keep the school open.
One concerned father, who arrived to collect his children, questioned why classes were continuing despite the reported outbreak.
“I don’t know why they sending the children to the school if they had the outbreak since last week. We are still bringing home the children for them to get sick again and everybody have to go to the doctor. So just close down the school at least for a week until everything get rectified,” he said.
Health officials have advised that enhanced cleaning protocols are being implemented at the school as authorities attempt to contain the spread of the illness, while keeping the facility operational.
(JRN)
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