The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) is urgently advocating for the temporary shutdown of St. Paul’s Primary School following a suspected gastroenteritis outbreak that has resulted in massive student absenteeism. Union officials report that over 100 students were absent from classes by Tuesday, with many cases directly linked to the suspected illness outbreak while others remained home as a precautionary measure.
BUT vice-president André Holder addressed journalists outside the Brittons Cross Road educational facility on Wednesday, highlighting concerning patterns of student absence. He specified that the suspected outbreak appears to be concentrated in the school’s hall area, though not all absences were necessarily illness-related.
Despite the alarming health situation, the school has remained operational with significantly reduced attendance. The union insists that immediate closure is necessary to conduct comprehensive cleaning, sanitization, and ventilation procedures throughout the campus. Holder proposed keeping the institution closed through the remainder of the week to ensure proper remediation measures.
This incident has brought broader systemic issues to light regarding environmental health and sanitation problems plaguing educational institutions across Barbados. Holder revealed multiple concerning reports including recent cases of cowitch exposure, rodent infestations, and cockroach problems at various schools throughout the island.
The BUT emphasizes that these matters are being treated with utmost seriousness due to potential impacts on both student and teacher welfare. Holder stressed the critical need for enhanced maintenance programs across all educational campuses to address these recurring health and safety concerns.
While the Ministry of Health has conducted an initial assessment of St. Paul’s Primary, and the Ministry of Education Transformation has been formally notified, education officials have not yet publicly responded to the situation or the union’s recommendations for temporary closure.