Education Minister: Post-Fire Schools Update
Education Minister Dame Jennifer Smith today [Apr. 9] praised the work of Facilities Manager Cleun Gaiton and his team of school custodians who had the unenviable job of cleaning up after the Marsh Folly Dump site’s recent massive fire.
The Minister noted that under the guidance of Permanent Secretary Warren Jones, assessment visits had been paid to all affected schools – Victor Scott Primary School, Prospect Primary School, Prospect Preschool, Cedarbridge Academy, Devonshire Preschool, Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy and to the Child Development Programme – in conjunction with Department of Health Officials.
Dame Jennifer Smith said, “The focus of these visits was to ensure that proper ventilation had occurred during the week, that each school was thoroughly cleaned and that all surfaces were wiped down with disinfectant. Out of concern for students with asthma, the Ministry consulted with Health Officials, and it was determined that it was not necessary to test air quality primarily because the process of cross ventilation was sufficient enough to eliminate any air quality issues.”
According to the Minister, those schools which do not have piped water, like Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy, have had their tanks visually checked, and those with no visible signs of debris were chlorinated. And Minister Smith assured that should it be found that cleaning is necessary, “it will be done”.
In addition, Bermuda Water Consultants were commissioned by the Health Department to sample and test area tanks for bacterial, organic and inorganic chemicals — including bacteria, pesticides, metals, etc. Since the test results will not be known for at least two weeks; bottled water will be provided for drinking in the interim.
The status of individual school sites is as follows:
- Prospect Primary School: No visual signs of smoke damage
- Prospect Preschool : No visual signs of smoke damage
- Victor Scott Primary School: No visual signs of smoke damage, but smoke smell is still dissipating
- Cedarbridge Academy: No visual signs of smoke damage
- Devonshire Preschool: No visual signs of smoke damage
- Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy: No visual signs of smoke damage.
- Child Development Programme: No visual signs of smoke damage
The Minister concluded by expressing her thanks to Bermuda’s brave fire-fighters, all the members of the Public Works Ministry who assisted, the school Principals and teachers involved, as well as to the Education Ministry’s own Facilities Manager and the school Custodians who take great pride in ensuring that students have a safe environment in which to learn.
So are the schools open tomorrow ?