Despite assurances that the schools are safe for classes to resume, parents of students of CW Sawyer and Sybil Strachan Primary have lingering concerns over a number of issues.

There was an early pickup for CW Sawyer students, who returned to classes yesterday  following a two-day break over mould, rat and structural concerns.

Adding to that was the complaint  among some parents that they were not updated  on the situation.

Lisa Sterman, a parent at CW Sawyer said, “well, they said there was mould in the school and the teachers were getting sick and also some of the students were getting sick and the fixtures in the restroom for the girls and boys were not  functioning  properly.”

According to Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson, mould is no longer  an issue at Yellow Elder Gardens campus.

“What the teachers would have done at CW Sawyer, is they did a cursory assessment. 

“So they know that some cleaning has been done;  yes some ceiling tiles have been replaced however there was some cracking in the tiles and we are concerned about the structural part of the school. 

“Then we would have received the mould testing report and we would have sent that on to a private company to analyze it, so that they can give us their views as to what has been tested; if the testing was done deeply enough and if it’s safe for teachers to occupy the schools,” she said. 

As for Sybil Strachan Primary’s scabies outbreak, Mrs. Wilson said as far as she can see, that situation has also been resolved.

However, one concerned uncle told The Journal  that he came to pick up his nephew because of something he saw on Facebook about there being a scabies outbreak at that school.

He said besides that,  no communication was made between the school’s administration and the student’s parents.

Meantime the BUT President said that teachers are being tested for the highly contagious infestation. At this point, there have been no such confirmed cases.

“The teachers and the union we are very pleased at the manner in which the principal has dealt with this health issue, because we were in constant contact not only with the Ministry of Education,  but also with the Ministry of Health, their nurses and their team. 

“So today the classes are being cleaned by the janitorial staff and the teachers will be tested. 

“Some  were tested last week; the remainder of the teachers will be tested today so we hope that the testing will be completed today and that the cleaning will be completed so that tomorrow morning school will be able to run smoothly,” she said. 

Mrs. Wilson’s calling on the ministry to continue talks with the union.