Last Updated on October 1, 2019, 9:32 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Fear of victimisation by the Timothy Harris-led Team Unity Government, has forced teachers, auxillary workers, parents, civil servants and civil society into silence as the mold infestation continues to cause illness and threaten their health.
As teachers, students and civil servants continue to fall ill, there is credible evidence of collusion between management of schools, the union, heads of department and the ministries of education and health to turn a blind eye and remain quiet in the face of increasing illness from mold.
Scores of government employees, teachers and students have tested positive for mold in their blood stream, way above the two percent limit. Over the past several months, persons have tested positive with percentages ranging from 20 percent to 45 percent.
Civil society has remained quiet, even after the sermon at the Independence State Service in Nevis by Methodist Church Superintendent, Rev Bonnie Byron, who in a rebuke of the authorities noted that “persons are afraid to speak their minds openly and honestly, less their frankness be rewarded with retaliation and victimization.”
Yet the other church leaders and other non-governmental organisations are silent, afraid to speak up and speak out as civil servants remain “quiet over the continuing atrocities, afraid to speak and in fear of losing their jobs.”
“Some management officials on suspecting mold were in the buildings and felt the need to seek medical attention. Tests were done, The results were positive, yet failed to pass on the necessary information even to their own colleagues they work with daily,” said a source knowledgeable of the situation.
“Ministries have asked some management teams to keep the presence of mold quiet,” another source disclosed.
“Teachers are just teaching by faith, afraid to speak up for fear of some form of victimisation,” said an informant. It was also learnt on the weekend that a student at the Estridge Primary School is the latest casualty to have received her result and mold was found in her blood stream. “She is on medication.”
The Cayon High School and the Estridge Primary School were recently closed due to mold infestation.
Teachers of Cayon High first complained in mid-2018, but nothing was done by the school’s management and the ministries of education and of health. More complaints were registered again in March 2019 and a petition was signed in May of this year when more teachers became ill. Still the ministry and the school management failed to inform the parents of students.
Instead of using the two-month summer vacation in July and August to take the necessary action, the Ministry of Education waited until one week before the official opening of school to conducts tests. On August 26, most teachers refused to enter the buildings for a staff meeting in preparation for the official start of the new 2019/2010 new school year on September 2.
Following the protest action by the teachers, a decision was taken to keep the Cayon High School closed. Steam cleaning of the buildings began on September 9th, fifth formers who were preparing for the annual CXC exams in May were accommodated at the Cayon Primary School, while students from forms 1 to 4 stayed at home. School reopened on September 23.
The Estridge Primary School which had a makeover in January 2016, was suddenly closed on Friday 13, September after reports in the social media from someone who lives in New York raised the alarm The school re-opened on Tuesday, 17 September after cleaning.
It must be recalled that in February 2018, after several denials that the Labour Department was contaminated, Minister of Labour, Hon Vance Amory and Acting Permanent Secretary, Bishop Ron Collins bowed to public pressure from the Labour Party candidate for St Christopher 8, Dr Terrance Drew and the department was moved from the upper floors of the Treasury Chambers to the Amory Building on Victoria Road. Premier Amory had taken to the floor of the National Assembly to accuse the Labour Department employees of faking their illness and medical doctors of unprofessionalism.
Several government-run institutions have been dogged with mold infestation and other unhealthy issues over the past three years.
They include the General Post Office, The Department of Labour, The National Housing Corporation (NHC), the Verchild’s High School, the Department of Sport, The Media Centre and the VIP boxes at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium; The Ministry of Education moved its administrative offices to The Cable Building on Cayon Street.
The Administration Building at the main Burdon Campus of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) as well as the Technical and Vocational Division of the CFBC, Police Headquarters, the Basseterre Police Station, The Sandy Point Primary School, the Saddlers Secondary School and the Robert L Bradshaw International Airport.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
