We Need More Alternative Learning Sites In The Case Of Fire Or Smoke

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson says teachers are still dealing with the effects from a blaze that destroyed a nearby complex that once housed Solomon’s Old Trail, Cost Right, and government offices.

Belinda Wilson – President, Bahamas Union of Teachers
“The very strong odor that emanates in the air but it seems as though the order is more stronger when the wind is blowing in a certain direction. In our industrial agreement we do have a clause that speaks to health and safety in the work place. So some of our members had to leave school early for the last couple weeks they were feeling nauseated.”

Wilson’s comments come a day after Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin confirmed her ministry is considering an emergency relocation of C.H. Reeves Junior High and R.M. Bailey Senior High School students.

Hanna-Martin said the Ministry of Education is working with the Department of Environmental Health Services to assess the situation, along with Director Dominique Russell and her team.

But with all the blazes that have burned across the country the past few weeks, Wilson says it’s now time for strategic planning.

Belinda Wilson – President, Bahamas Union of Teachers
“You don’t wait untila situation arises you plan for the inevitable. And so again I would impress upon the ministry of education and the department to look for alternative sites so that when there is a natural disaster or you may have the smoke, the fire etc. they’re able to adjust to the alternate sites in a timely manner.”

Then there’s the issue of scorching temperatures in classrooms and auditoriums.

Wilson sharing with me several possible solutions.

Belinda Wilson – President, Bahamas Union of Teachers
“The principals need to use the open air pavilions as much as they can for the assemblies. Where it is that they can put in air condition units, where they can fix fans cause some of the classrooms have fans they don’t work they’ve been sitting there for years. Relaxing the dress code and make sure that they’re properly dressed but we also dress to go with the climate.”