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ASPS suffering daily from dust pollution due to road works

- school attendance reportedly affected due to ongoing problem
Students, teachers and other staff of the Althea Scatliffe Primary School (ASPS) have had to endure the issue of dust pollution due to roadworks occurring in the vicinity for the past six months. Photo: VINO
It has been reported that absenteeism of students and teachers, especially asthmatics, increased at the Althea Scatliffe Primary School because of the dust problem. Photo: VINO
It has been reported that absenteeism of students and teachers, especially asthmatics, increased at the Althea Scatliffe Primary School because of the dust problem. Photo: VINO
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), on May 2, 2019, promised to look into the situation of dust pollution at Althea Scatliffe Primary School (ASPS). Photo: Facebook
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), on May 2, 2019, promised to look into the situation of dust pollution at Althea Scatliffe Primary School (ASPS). Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- For more than six months, students, teachers and other staff of the Althea Scatliffe Primary School (ASPS) have had to endure the issue of dust pollution due to roadworks occurring in the vicinity.

Despite a recent promise by Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), to look into the situation, the problem continues.

At a community meeting called by Hon Rymer on May 2, 2019 at the said school, a teacher was at pain explaining the harsh reality of what they face on a daily basis due to the uncontrollable amount of dust that pervades the school.

School affected by dust

It was mentioned by the teacher that absenteeism of students and teachers, especially asthmatics, increased because of the dust problem. In addition to that, class sessions are frequently disrupted as children often have to go to the bathroom to wash the dust from their faces. The situation worsens when there is no running water at the school.

It was also related that instructional time is lost daily as it’s a task every morning for teachers to do extensive cleaning of their furniture and other work material which are usually covered with dust.

“Please Mr Minister, (Honourable Rymer) we are begging you to do something about this situation. It is really bad, it is more than unbearable. We are suffering tremendously and there is a way this can be done better in the interest of all,” she said.

No solutions yet

Suggesting a solution, the female teacher said works should be executed during the weekends only or daily after school dismisses.

“I promise to look into a solution as soon as possible,” Hon Rhymer responded; However, today the situation remains the same.

Contacted yesterday, May 6, 2019, following several calls to this news site by concerned parents, Principal of the school Marieta C. Flax-Headley said the road works continue to move apace throughout the school hours.

One parent said her daughter has lost considerable hours because of the dust at the school, “I had to keep her home so many times because of her sinus. I know of teachers and other students who worse than my child because of that dust in the school.”

Road project already 3 months past deadline

The road works commenced under the National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration and were to be complete well under three months, however, it’s more than six months now.

A senior government officer at the meeting last week gave the assurance the project would be complete within two weeks.

9 Responses to “ASPS suffering daily from dust pollution due to road works”

  • Skilled worker (07/05/2019, 09:28) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Working from 10pm-6am maybe ?
    • tight (08/05/2019, 10:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      From 6 pm to 1am might be an idea as well. This project seems to be prolonged. We may need to double up efforts or ensure that the team is producing at maximum efficiency to complete this project bearing in mind that it is in a school zone. Safety for the kids is paramount as well.
  • teacher john (07/05/2019, 10:59) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Rymer is trying his best he is new
  • TOO Long. (07/05/2019, 13:07) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is taking much too long to complete. Everyday they do hours of work.
    • wize up (07/05/2019, 16:12) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ TOO Long: I second the motion and you see the size of that project(from last year)...I won’t like that crew work on the highway: consideration should be given to doing such projects at night using flood lights and stop mucking up the traffic during regular business hour(we in 2019 not 1920)
  • Just a suggestion (07/05/2019, 15:25) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maybe you all should try doing this and other similar road works in the evenings like they do in the United States. So that by the morning, all of this is avoided.
  • E. Leonard (07/05/2019, 17:41) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dust can contain contaminants that pose health risks to workers and others. There are a number of administrative and engineering measures to control dust. Here are a few administrative/engineering methods: 1. Use a water/mist truck to lightly spray the soil, b. on windy days, avoid major dust disturbing activities, c. place silt fence and other barriers around the perimeter of the project, d. schedule work outside of normal school operating hours , ........etc.
  • wow (07/05/2019, 21:45) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    The thing in the BVI we want things done and when things are being done we still complain. You can’t win in this place. If the road was not fixed we would complain, it’s now being fixed we still complaining about when it should be done and how it should be done. Smh if it’s fixed in the night the people in the area is going to complain about the noise, it’s fixed in the day school complaining. Hon Kye you do your best and leave the rest!
  • Quiet Warrior (08/05/2019, 09:07) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    It is a universal occurrence. Residents want progress but not the inconveniences. Consequently, government and other service agencies must take actions to the maximum extent possible and practical to minimize the community disruptions and inconveniences.


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