The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THOUSANDS of students returned to their classrooms on Monday, and police officers were out in full force at the various schools and streets to ensure a safe first day back to school.

In Grand Bahama, Deputy Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour and other senior officers were at the St George’s High School around 8.15am.

Police officers were stationed at every school distributing road safety flyers to motorists and making sure that they adhered to the speed limit in the school zones and pedestrian crosswalks.

Road safety is a primary concern especially in school zones during the morning hours of 8am to 9am and at 3pm to 4pm.

Ministry of Education officials have reported a “smooth opening” at the schools in the eastern and western districts.

Yvonne Ward, the district superintendent of East Grand Bahama, said: “Everything seems to be running smoothly, there was nothing serious reported.”

Mrs Ward said a teacher shortage in the public school system is being addressed.

“We are discussing that today, and we should have persons in place shortly,” she said.

Mrs Ward oversees some nine schools, including the Grand Cay All Age School, Sweeting’s Cay All Age, Jack Hayward Junior and Jack Hayward Senior High Schools, Maurice Moore Primary, Freeport Primary, East End Junior High, East End Primary and East End Preschool.

With a storm approaching the region, the superintendent said officials plan to proceed with the second day of orientation on Tuesday.

“We will get an update on the storm on Monday afternoon. They have already identified the school gymnasiums that are shelters, and so when we get an update we will be able to determine how we will proceed for the rest of the week,” said Mrs Ward.

Ivan Butler, district superintendent for the west, reported a nearly full staff attendance at the school in his district.

“Our first day went well; I visited the schools, starting with West End Primary and worked my way into Freeport.

“All of the primary schools were ready, and we had a 95 per cent complement of staff in place, and the principals welcomed their teachers.

“It got off to a good start this year, and we had no major incidents or hindrances to prevent us from opening schools.”

Mr Butler said that there was a police presence at the schools and on the streets.

“We saw not only constables but high-ranking officers in khaki out in the western district,” he reported.

Mr Butler has responsibility for some ten schools, including the West End Primary, Holmes Rock Primary, Martin Town Primary, Bartlett Hill Primary, Eight Mile Rock High, Lewis Yard Primary, as well as the Bimini All Age.

“I have spoken to the principal in Bimini, and he is reporting that all went well there too and they are ready to go,” he said.

Bahamas Union of Teachers area vice president Quinton Laroda could not be reached for comments regarding the first day of school in Grand Bahama.