CAYON HIGH SCHOOL MUST BE COMPLETELY SAFE FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS TO RETURN, ASSERTS PRIME MINISTER DR. DREW

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, September 04, 2024 (SKNIS) – To ensure that students, teachers and ancillary staff return to a completely safe environment, Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, said that the Government is making significant investments into renovation work and corrective measures at the Cayon High School.

Prime Minister Dr. Drew made a follow-up visit to the school compound earlier today, Wednesday, September 4, 2024, to see firsthand the significant renovation work being undertaken. The prime minister’s visit, his second in a week, underscores the government’s commitment to the health and safety of all who work, learn and visit the institution.  

“We continue to invest heavily in the school,” said Dr. Drew. “We are painting the school, putting in new doors, new windows, new furniture, and getting the facility cleaned to get rid of any type of contaminant that might be affecting the school.”

Unsatisfied with the results from previous mould tests, the Ministry of Education employed the use of UV light—leveraging the power of ultraviolet light that offers a non-toxic way to eliminate mould spores without leaving behind any chemical residue. Officials are now awaiting the results of the tests done after the use of the UV light method.

“We are dealing with the problem and we will overcome this just as any other issue that we have to deal with. The most important thing is the health of our people; the students, teachers, the environmental workers, the guards and the servers, they are our number one priority and that will never be compromised,” Dr. Drew added.

In the meantime, the Cayon High School is utilising a hybrid model for the new term where some students are receiving face-to-face instructions while others are attending classes remotely through the use of the devices distributed by the government in November 2023, as part of its Enhancing Learning Continuity and Inclusion Project.

Going forward, Prime Minister Dr. Drew said his administration has put together a task force to address the issue of mould in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Due to rising temperatures as a direct result of climate change, the honourable prime minister said an increase in the growth of mould is anticipated, hence the need for such a task force. 

“This is one of the consequences of climate change, and so we have deemed it extremely necessary to put a task force together to make sure that the environment in St. Kitts and Nevis are safe for our people,” Dr. Drew said.

The Task Force initially comprises the Permanent Secretaries (PS) in the Ministries of Sustainable Development, Public Works and Education. It will also consist of representation from the St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards and other experts in this field.

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