While B&G reopens, BUT concerns shift to St Philip school
Article by May 7, 2021
The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) expressed concern Thursday about conditions at the St Martin’s-Mangrove Primary School even as in-person classes at the Blackman & Gollop Primary School went back on track.
BUT Vice President Rudy Lovell who made the rounds at schools throughout the day told
Barbados TODAY he was generally satisfied with his observations at Blackman & Gollop which underwent a major clean-up the day before.
“On the inside, the students would have been engaged [in classes]. There is no presence of ash. I spoke to the principal she is satisfied. The teachers there are satisfied,” he said.
May 7, 2021
There is no outbreak of COVID-19 at the Princess Margaret Secondary School and no reason to panic.
So says Minister of Health and Wellnes Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic who this evening sought to quell fears that the respiratory illness was rampant at the St Philip institution as well as at the St George Primary School.
During a nationally-televised press conference Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kenneth George confirmed that health authorities were investigating exposures at the two schools.
He said while one student at Princess Margaret had tested positive, no positive cases had yet been identified at St George Primary.
Article by
Springer Memorial principal Mitchelle Maxwell (left) and her deputy Cheryl Gill showing one of the classrooms set up
in keeping with physical distancing protocols for a dozen students. - (Picture by Jameel Springer.) Social Share
All systems appear set for children and teachers to return to classrooms for face-to-face learning from Monday.
Several schools were doing final preparations yesterday on the grounds and in classrooms, even as the Ministry of Education tried to ascertain which institutions will be ready, with the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) saying it was prepared to follow the ministry’s lead.
A new year spike in COVID-19 cases put the brakes on plans for full return to face-to-face classes after online and blended learning last year. The planned April 19 return was further halted by the volcanic ash fall from La Soufriere in St Vincent on April 9.
BUT leader reports smooth Trinity term start
Article by April 28, 2021
Day one of the new school term ended Tuesday with no major complaints from teachers as the Trinity term opened with all-online teaching, President of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) Pedro Shepherd has confirmed.
Shepherd said while the majority of the BUT’s membership was looking forward to resuming face-to-face learning as the Ministry of Education had intended, the only complaints he received were about weak internet service in certain areas that interrupted some classes.
While this may be due to heavy demand on the electronic classrooms, the union leader suggested that internet service providers need to review the strength of what they are offering customers to ensure an efficient and reliable service.
Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary School is mourning the loss of principal Jennifer Phillips.
The former senior teacher at St Paul’s Primary School, who was assigned to the Wildey, St Michael school in 2018, died yesterday after she fell ill while attending church and was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
In paying tribute to his principal, Pedro Shepherd, information technology coordinator at the school, said: “Mrs Phillips brought a newness to administration at the school and was a tower of strength for all staff, teaching and ancillary. She was also very involved in the Parent-Teacher Association and had a great relationship with everyone.