Confusion and frustration marred the first day of term for Wesley Hall Junior School, as parents navigated chaotic scenes and poor communication after their children’s relocation to satellite classrooms at the Wesleyan Holiness Church headquarters and the YMCA.
“I feel rather upset about the whole situation because this is the very first day of school . . . and it appears that work is now being carried out at the secondary site,” said one parent at the Whitepark Road church.
Parents reported uncertainty about whether classes were taking place at the church itself or at the organisation’s headquarters nearby. They said they only realised that lessons were being held at the headquarters after a teacher called to them while they were searching for the correct building with their children.
Concerns also surrounded the condition of the church site. “If this is supposed to be the secondary site for teaching, from what I can see this site is actually probably in a worse state than the school because if you look, a lot of windows (are) broken out, the roof needs replacing, a whole lot of things . . . so it’s like the teachers complain about the state of the school and then it’s sent to a secondary site that is probably in the same condition or worse.”
At the YMCA on Pinfold Street, parents expressed anger and demanded answers from officials.
Nobody ain’t here to tell you nothing, not a teacher, not a principal,” one parent said.
Another parent voiced concern about safety and ventilation, noting that, according to an online meeting held on Sunday, some parents were informed that their children would be taught in a basement.
“As far as I know, a basement is for storage,” she said.
Parents said the lack of transparency had shaken their confidence.
“This is so confusing and ridiculous,” another parent commented.
Later in the evening, Minister of Educational Transformation Chad Blackman called a press conference and acknowledged that there were “challenges” on the first day at Wesley Hall Juniors. “It is my understanding that over the course of today there were some challenges, challenges that arose, and we felt it necessary to update you as to where we are and we move forward,” he told journalists after meeting with teachers, union representatives, and other education stakeholders.
Blackman insisted that, despite complaints, the ministry had acted on teachers’ requests and was prepared to make further adjustments, having recognised issues at both locations. He rejected claims that the facilities were dirty or unfit.
“I want to put to bed the idea that the facilities are dirty. It is not so . . .,” he said, dismissing concerns about room sizes at the YMCA.
Permanent Secretary Kim Belle also stressed that the environment at both locations was up to standard: “I visited both locations today. The bathrooms are clean because they did an inspection . . . . And I do know that in preparation to go into the facility, we would have sent in a team to do the industrial cleaning of both locations. That was done [Sunday].”
Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw assured parents that instruction would continue.
“We had a very productive meeting with the principal and some of the teachers at the school, and we’re happy to say that we reached the resolution that teaching and learning will continue,” she said.
Deputy Chief Education Officer with responsibility for schools, Julia Beckles, confirmed that “classes will continue [Tuesday], and we have already started to look to see whether we can have an alternative to one of the alternatives. As soon as we have been able to finalise that, parents will be communicated to.”
She said a decision will be made on Tuesday, and by the evening, parents will be informed.
The temporary relocation was prompted by long-overdue refurbishment works at The City school. Ministry officials said the scale of repairs meant construction could not be completed over the summer break. Although the overhaul had originally been scheduled for January 2026, staff pressed for the work to begin immediately, forcing the ministry to secure satellite classrooms at the Wesleyan Holiness Church headquarters and the YMCA. This arrangement is expected to last only for one term.
There are 323 students at Wesley Hall Juniors and 32 teachers.
sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb
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