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Mould problem hits ESHS!

- Art teachers sickout
A number of art teachers at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) are allegedly on sick-out today May 16, 2013 as the problem of mould has hit the school. Photo: VINO
Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture, Ms Lorna Stephens said
Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture, Ms Lorna Stephens said "I don't have any comment for any news media right now," when contacted for a comment on the alleged situation of mould at the Elmore Stoutt High School. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - A number of Art teachers of the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) are allegedly on sickout today May 16, 2013 as the problem of mould has hit the school.

Virgin Islands News Online has been informed by reliable sources that some teachers took a decision to sick out today following a meeting yesterday with the ag. Principal Mr Wade W. Tobin.

It was alleged that during the meeting the teachers were told by Mr. Tobin that they were to find alternative classroom spaces in other parts of the building as there was nothing he could have immediately done.

When contacted, Mr Tobin said he was not at school today and referred this news site to Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture Ms Lorna Stephens who, when the question about the situation was put to her, said "I don't have any comment for any news media right now."

Virgin Islands News Online was also told that the Acting Chief Education Officer Mrs Jillian Douglas-Phillips is on leave.

A parent told this news site today that the matter was reported to her for the first time yesterday May 15, 2013 by her Third Form daughter who indicated that her Art teacher said she was not attending school today because of the problem.

The confirmed area that houses the art classes in question is located in the lower sections/basement of one of the buildings in the ESHS compound. "Some of the teachers are sicking out today because they are sick and there is nothing he (Mr Tobin) can do right now and they would have to find some other place to teach the students," said the parent.

According to the parent, she confirmed the information related to her as she paid a visit to the school this morning as she had a previous appointment. She said when she got to the school she had some difficulty locating her child since there was no one in the area where the art classes are usually held.

The parent said that she later found her daughter "just hanging around" and was told the same story of the meeting with the Acting Principal by a male Art teacher (name given).

"I found my daughter under a tent just doing nothing and the other children were just hanging around while some went into other classes," said the concerned parent. "I think this is just crazy," she added.

What have not been confirmed are the extent of the mould infestation at the school, how long it existed, the number of teachers out sick and if any student has fallen ill because of the alleged mould problem.

The alleged problem of mould at ESHS comes on the heels of a similar issue at Isabella Morris Primary School where a number of students and teachers reportedly fell ill due to fungal infections believed to be as a result of mould at the school. The teachers and students have since been temporarily relocated to the Cane Garden Bay Community Centre.

22 Responses to “Mould problem hits ESHS!”

  • dem say (16/05/2013, 14:09) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
    WOW...Myron you have your hands full. I hope you back broad like Andrew Fahie...LOL!!!
    • apple pie (16/05/2013, 23:40) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
      In time like deeds we needed andrew fahie at the helm he is a leader not a talker like that due myron
  • student (16/05/2013, 14:25) Like (4) Dislike (15) Reply
    Molds,Molds are all over the place. I have no AC in my house and the molds are killing it's very disgusting.
    It think the molds are a plague.
    • huh (16/05/2013, 16:54) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
      What school are you a product of? Your English is very poor and your lack of knowledge is almost astounding!
    • shaw (16/05/2013, 22:54) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      why so many dislikes? Mold IS a plague and a dangerous one. It can ruin your immune system so you get sick of other things at a drop of a hat. It is very dangerous and needs a haz-mat suit to remove. This is an accurate comment.
  • lmao (16/05/2013, 14:31) Like (15) Dislike (12) Reply
    What's making me laugh about these news stories is that they are being reported as if these are new instances in all our schools. We have been hearing about these things for the past 20yrs but people love politics I must say. All those bootleg contractors collecting millions annually from the Government breast won't even donate anything back to the community. Government time to wake up and see what's going on.
  • BREAKING NEWS (16/05/2013, 15:14) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    He obear not working
  • Windy (16/05/2013, 16:03) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Moulds ( mold ) grow where the is an organic material for it to grow on. A good cleaning regiment is a great way to stop it in it's tracks. Just CLEAN !!!!
  • ooooo (16/05/2013, 16:14) Like (5) Dislike (107) Reply
    an epedemic broke-out since ndp got in
  • . (16/05/2013, 16:15) Like (2) Dislike (21) Reply
    Obviously myron is not the answer to our problems.....He's just a waste of time.
  • huh (16/05/2013, 16:51) Like (11) Dislike (18) Reply
    I graduated in 08 and there was a Mould problem WAAAAAAAAAY before then. This is not new. Myron maybe a terrible minister but these issues were around long before him....
  • Shara Parlin (16/05/2013, 17:31) Like (5) Dislike (19) Reply
    After almost two years of doing nothing Myron still blaming Andrew...but we the people know better it’s just that he is incompetent
  • student (16/05/2013, 17:52) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    I think miss BVI is awesome. K bye.
  • student (16/05/2013, 18:53) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Poor myron better they had given delories the ministry eh
  • polo (16/05/2013, 23:45) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    While I agree with public opinon the hon walwyn is the worst minister of education its not right and fair to blaim him for the mold just not fair!!!!!
  • wise up (17/05/2013, 04:42) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    It never ceases to amaze me how the leaders of the BVI go to the very extreme to impress the visitors while the citizens and residents of the country are given second class treatment... when visitors are coming to BVI banners, posters, flyers and clean-up campaigns are full speed; NOW take a close look at the schools for OUR children the Future of the BVI; the same keen attention given to impress the visitors to our shores should also be given to children of the BVI; day after them sitting under hot tents to take their lunch and now we hearing the mould killing them,,,,,what a shame !!!! just yesterday i passed by the plaza in road town and was puzzled as to what was happening only to be informed there is special ground visiting the country SO we trying our best to impress them (bull $h!!) ...here we are busy seeking to impress the VISITOR about BVI culture BUT we do NOT put on such displays on a regular to educate our own people(thats shameful) ......
  • concern parent and citizen (17/05/2013, 12:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I too had a problem in locating my child yesterday and had to go to Mr. Hodge to have him called over the PA system. And I also saw the children under the tent and outside of the building. This is not good. Suppose some body child get sick then what is going to happen. This Government have a real problem on their hands - most government buildings have mould that is causing employees to get sick on the job, they get asthma attacks, bronchitis, some develop respiratory problems, I have heard about someone having mould eating away their brain, this is no laughing matter. Who is going to compensate them or their families for the damages or losses now we have the children/teachers being affected but this problem. This Government needs to assess why this is happening and decide what corrective measures can be put in place from now. I have a close friend that have been continuous been moved from place to place and no one is considering her medicl expenses/implication and health problems and this is soooo sad.
  • Eye Spy (17/05/2013, 21:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now we can compare and contrast the both situations for efficiencies or inefficiencies as the case may be. Just watch for the outcome.


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