The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport

Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

WITH only a month to go before the new school year, there are concerns about whether major repairs to the leaky roof and mould-infested science block will be completed in time for the September term at the Eight Mile Rock High School in Grand Bahama.

The Science and Computer Studies building was closed down several months ago due to ongoing health concerns of students and teachers’ exposure to mould, pigeon faeces and water leaks. To raise awareness of the long standing problem, teachers staged sit-outs and protests.

The Minister for Grand Bahama, Dr Michael Darville, recently confirmed that contracts have already been awarded for repairs to the Science Block. “Two contractors will be operating simultaneously at EMRHS – one for the normal school repairs and the other specifically on the Science Block,” he said. “We realise that some parents are concerned about the work that needs to be done at EMRHS, and I want to assure residents of EMR that the Science Block that was removed from operation will be repaired and completed when school reopens in September.”

Accusing the government of dragging its feet in addressing the problem, some parents felt that the continued closure of the block, which houses classrooms for chemistry, physics, biology and computer science, would put students at a disadvantage academically because of the lack of access to laboratories for experiments in preparation for national exams.

Dr Darville said: “We apologise because we wanted to start work while school was in operation, but we were advised not to do so because the work involved was a little more structural than we initially anticipated, and we waited until school closed to start the work.” The Minister said major mould remediation work and repairs to the roof and classrooms will be carried out in short order. He also noted that an issue associated with the Science Block concerning some chemical exposure also will be addressed.

“We will make sure chemicals are disposed of and that the building is safe for students and teachers, and the staff responsible for the cleaning,” he added.

The school is expected to reopen on August 31.