The Tribune

By MORGAN ADDERLEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

madderley@tribunemedia.net

OPPOSITION leader Philip Davis has raised alarm regarding a reported mould infestation and rumoured sinkhole at CW Sawyer Primary School, and calling for Education Minister Jeff Lloyd to resolve the matter.

Mr Davis also claimed teachers have fallen ill and are threatening demonstrations if the situation is not urgently addressed.

Education Director Marcellus Taylor yesterday confirmed the school does have a mould issue which is currently being dealt with, however he said he was unaware of a sinkhole.

Regarding the larger phenomena of reports of mould in schools, which has been a source of contention at CH Reeves Junior High School in recent months, Mr Taylor called for anyone who works in these areas on a daily basis such as janitorial staff, teachers, and administrators to be “a little more vigilant” when it comes to monitoring leaks, which contribute to the growth of mould. He noted leaks should be reported as soon as they are spotted to prevent a widespread issue from occurring.

“We have received some disturbing reports on safety issues in respect to mould infestation once again, and this time at the CW Sawyer Primary School. We also understand that there’s a suspicion of some sinkhole at this primary school as well,” Mr Davis said yesterday.

“Teachers have fallen ill and are threatening demonstrations and sit outs if the situation is not urgently addressed. The school’s principal and district education officer have been advised in writing but to date we understand that no corrective action has been taken.

“I wish to sound the alarm yet again to Minister Jeff Lloyd to move with dispatch and have this situation looked after and resolved.”

When contacted about the matter, Mr Taylor told The Tribune: “I don’t know about the sinkhole, but we have some mould problem at the CW Sawyer school. Our person with responsibility for the physical plant, Mr (Donovan) Turnquest…has been dealing with this matter, trying to address it. Not just today but he’s been working (on) it for a couple of weeks.

“I’m not aware of any classrooms (being affected),” he continued. “I’m only aware of administrative offices at the school that has mould. There may be some instances in the classrooms but I’m not aware of it.”

When asked about reports that teachers are threatening to demonstrate, Mr Taylor replied: “I heard that some teachers (are) threatening to sit out, but I can’t speak to it.”

He said he has not received any reports of teachers or students falling ill due to the presence of mould at the school.

Regarding larger concerns about mould in schools, Mr Taylor noted he is not an environmentalist, but said mould is everywhere, but becomes an issue when it reaches levels that are “unhealthy to humans.”

“We have a school. We’re not there every day and seeing what’s going on. But day-to-day cleaning, day-to-day monitoring of your environment, when you see a leak or when you see some mould growth in small quantities, if you address it then you could really eliminate it becoming to a problematic level.

“So I think a lot of it is the vigilance of the persons who occupy the space on a daily basis, reporting leaks as soon as you see them. Now I would say that sometimes they report leaks and we can’t always get to them because of lack of resources or whatever. But a lot of times, we don’t even know of these leaks and then this issue of mould comes up because the thing was not being adequately monitored.”

Mr Taylor also noted sometimes people say mould is an issue when the actual problem is mildew or dust.

“That’s something that we’re trying to work with janitorial staff and others at the school level so that they can make sure that the rooms are less prone to cause people to have ill feelings,” he added.