The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) has issued a stark warning following a rat infestation at Deacons Primary School in St. Michael, which forced an abrupt closure on Monday. The incident has reignited calls for routine inspections and industrial-level deep cleaning across all public schools to ensure a safe learning environment. Parents were reportedly notified via WhatsApp messages around 10 a.m. to collect their children, though the reason for the early dismissal was not immediately disclosed. Later, officials from the Ministry of Health’s Vector Control Unit, the Ministry of Educational Transformation, and the BUT confirmed the closure was due to rodent sightings on campus. Julian Pierre, first vice-president of the BUT and head of its health and safety committee, revealed that the school had been grappling with environmental issues for over a week. Last week, concerns were raised about the school’s hall, prompting an inspection by the Vector Control Unit and the Ministry of Health. Industrial cleaning was subsequently conducted in the affected areas, but problems persisted. On Monday, another rodent sighting led teachers to evacuate students from the compromised area. Pierre emphasized that teachers have long been concerned about the general cleaning standards in public schools. He argued that schools should not wait for infestations or environmental incidents to justify deep cleaning, noting that while households undergo regular spring cleaning, schools often lack such proactive measures. He called for a structured maintenance regime, including scheduled inspections, regular cleaning, and water quality testing, in collaboration between the Ministries of Educational Transformation and Health. Deputy Chief Education Officer Julia Beckles confirmed that rodent droppings were identified at the school, prompting industrial cleaning. She assured that the school had been sanitized and would reopen on Tuesday. Pierre highlighted that rodent issues are not unique to Deacons Primary, urging a national focus on school hygiene and surrounding environments. He also stressed the importance of rodent-proofing measures, such as meshing and door sweeps, to prevent future infestations. The BUT has been advocating for systemic changes to ensure schools maintain a clean and safe environment for students and staff.