Teachers Union Calls for Vigilance Amid Health Concerns at Primary School

The Barbados Union of Teachers has urged authorities not to dismiss ongoing health concerns at Hillaby Turner’s Hall Primary School, warning that reports of illness among students and staff warrant sustained scrutiny despite official assurances that there is no scarlet fever outbreak.

The experiences of parents, students and staff deserved continued attention, said vice-president and chairman of the BUT occupational safety and health committee, Julian Pierre, even as authorities maintain there is no need to close the school.

“The concerns raised by parents and staff over recent weeks should not be dismissed simply because the current findings do not point to an outbreak,” Pierre told Barbados TODAY. “The experiences of those directly affected warrant careful consideration and ongoing investigation to ensure that no contributing environmental or public health factors are overlooked.”

An update from the chief medical officer indicated there was no unusual outbreak of scarlet fever at the St Andrew school and made no recommendation for its closure.

While acknowledging the findings of the Ministry of Health, Pierre said the union remained “deeply concerned” about the welfare of students, teachers and ancillary staff.

He noted that confirmed cases of dengue exposure and Group A Streptococcus infection, along with reports of rashes and fever among several children, highlighted the need for continued vigilance.

“Teachers have been on the frontline of this situation and have had to manage understandable anxiety among students and parents while awaiting definitive information from the relevant authorities,” he said.

Pierre stressed that the union’s concerns extended beyond the immediate medical findings and centred on ensuring that recommended public health measures were being properly implemented and monitored.

Among the areas requiring ongoing attention, he identified regular sanitisation of facilities, environmental assessments, mosquito control measures and timely communication with staff and parents.

“We continue to seek assurances that all recommended public health measures are being consistently implemented, monitored and adequately resourced,” Pierre said.

The union is also calling on the ministries of health and wellness and education transformation to maintain active surveillance at the school and “provide regular updates to all stakeholders, and remain prepared to take further action should circumstances change”, he said.