Cayon High School students and teachers return to classroom today; three weeks late

Students and teachers at the Cayon High School returned to the classroom this morning, September 24, three weeks after public schools opened for the new school year (September 2).

The decision to return to the classroom after teachers and parents met with Ministry of Education officials yesterday, September 23.

The results of tests conducted in relation to mole contamination at the school have not yet been made public however.

The school has been infested with mold since mid-2018, but according to several sources, attempts were made to keep the situation under cover.

Teachers, parents and students are hoping that the Minister of Education, Hon Shawn Richards and the two Ministers of Health, Hon Eugene Hamilton and Senator the Hon Wendy Phipps will inform them of the results of the tests

The issue of mold infestation first occurred in 2018 and again in March and May this year when teachers became ill and tests returned positive of high levels of mold in their blood streams. Teachers also signed a petition before the end of the 2018/2019 school year in an attempt to prod the relevant ministries into action.

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 building 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 and according to sources several pieces of furniture were severely damaged, thus creating further problems.

The terms and conditions agreed upon by stakeholders to return to the classroom are not fully known.