Teachers at St Bartholomew Primary School Threaten Action Over Health Impacts of GAIA Incinerator Smoke

Teachers at St Bartholomew Primary School are threatening to take action as they complain that smoke from the incinerator at the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) Inc. continues to impact their health and disrupt classes.

Yesterday, following an emergency meeting with teachers of the Parish Land, Christ Church institution, president of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) Rudy Lovell said teachers can no longer tolerate the smoke, which led to several of them and students experiencing respiratory issues.

However, management at GAIA said it fully recognised and seriously considered the concerns expressed by the school.

Lovell said while the union met with management of the GAIA last year to discuss the vexing issue, frustrated teachers have now made it clear the situation has reached an unbearable stage.

“I was summoned to the school by the staff and I obliged. Teachers are ready to take action if no resolution is found and we will support that action. They have had enough. No one wants to go to work and have to worry about whether they are going to get home or what condition they will get home in.

“This situation is untenable, it cannot continue like this. I don’t know what resolution can be found, but a resolution has to be found or there will be no school at St Bartholomew Primary School. Teachers want the matter rectified urgently,” he told the DAILY NATION.

Stating he was not blaming the Ministry of Education for the prolonged issue, Lovell said teachers lamented that the smoke from the incinerator had caused some of them to develop “respiratory issues and problems breathing when the smoke is in the air”.