Jerome K. Fitzgerald, Minister of Education, Science and Technology. Ladies and gentlemen…. Good morning…. I am compelled to address a few matters which have occupied the press for the past week namely the closure of the two (2) primary schools Uriah McPhee and Stephen Dillet. Both schools were closed because we were concerned about the health and safety of our children and teachers. This is a responsibility we guard jealously and take seriously. The Ministry of Environmental Health was asked to investigate and provide a report that would include their recommendations to address the issues they found. Having reviewed their recommendations we decided it would be best to close the two (2) schools and allow the work to be carried out uninterrupted for a period of five (5) days through last weekend. On Monday of this week we were satisfied that we had addressed the major concerns raised by the Ministry of the Environmental Health and we invited them back for confirmation and further direction. The following day (Tuesday September 17th) the Ministry of Environment issued a letter to the Ministry of Education stating the following: “Please be advised that DEHS/Department of Environmental Health is satisfied with the works undertaken at the above captioned schools and as such, you are hereby permitted to resume school at its normal hours.” They noted however that following our meeting earlier that day we were to complete the remainder of the work in a phased approach over the next ten days. Those works included: Spiraling and vacuuming of air conditioning ducts; Removal and pressure washing of fan coil wheels; Removal and cleaning of air conditioning vents grills and diffusers; Fogging inside the building using an approved disinfectant; Ensure the air conditioning system is operating at optimum and; Treat the schools for rodents. Essentially apart from item six (6) - which we sought their help with, they recommended that we clean the ducts and vents of the air conditioning system. This is a procedure that is carried out routinely in houses, businesses, hospitals and schools in this country and around the world every day. It does not require one to move out of their home, close their business or shut down a hospital to clean ducts and vents. In-fact the Department of Environmental Health Services did not see a reason to continue with the closure of the two (2) schools. In fact DEHS went on to say in the same letter: “DEHS is satisfied that notwithstanding the balance of works to be carried out that it does not pose an imminent danger to teachers and students, however if at any time we believe that any threat to human safety exists we will order the closure of the school.” They concluded by saying they would come back in ten days to do their final inspections. You may be aware that the Union has presented my Ministry with what they are calling an “independent report”. I have been made to understand that this report was prepared by one Khaleel Francis, a trained teacher who is presently facing disciplinary action for an exorbitant amount of absent days. It is unfortunate that one may deduce that his side business may have contributed to his extreme absenteeism. I believe that my Ministry has engaged some of the most intelligent teachers anywhere in the world and they are capable of reading between the lines. We therefore place no weight or credibility on that report and quite frankly we are surprised that the Union would associate itself with someone whose record as a public school teacher is less than stellar. Additionally we are taken aback by the fact that the Union - knowing the rules of the Public Service would engage the services of a company owned by a public officer and present the Ministry with a report which in effect is signed by one of our employees. There are any number of questions that can be raised as regards the approach of the Union, and what is truly motivating the approach taken. The Union has been involved in the process of preparing our schools for the new school year from day one (1) – the President has worked very closely with me on site inspections and other matters prior to the official start of the school year, but chose to raise concerns about the health and safety of students and teachers at both schools after school had opened; that is certainly worth bearing in mind, especially as she has gone on record to state that I am the first Minister to give her the respect and involvement her office holds. It is important to remember, that the Ministry of the Environment is the arm of the government that deals with environmental matters. We consulted with them, followed their directives and they cleared the schools in question for students and teachers to return. They indicated that they would continue to monitor the situation with us. In closing let me be clear, the Ministry of Education is responsible for schools in the Bahamas, not the Bahamas Union of Teachers. The Ministry of Education has responsibility and control over the public school grounds not the Bahamas Union of Teachers. There is nothing in the Collective Bargaining Agreement that states otherwise. There is therefore no group or organization in this country that is more concerned about the safety and health of our students and teachers than the Ministry of Education.
Posted on: Sun, 22 Sep 2013 22:34:06 +0000
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