During deliberations with the Standing Finance Committee, Junior Minister for Trade, Economic Development, Agriculture and Fisheries Hon Shereen D Flax Charles voiced serious concerns surrounding the health of the Territory’s public-school populations, particularly as it relates to the presence of mould and the handling of potentially deadly allergens within the school environment.
Flax Charles said that, at heart, the onus of the issue lied on the health and environment in which children in the British Virgin Islands are made to attend school.
While the dangers of mould are well known in the Territory, she suggested that greater concern should be dealt to the presence of allergens in the school environment.
She said that as more students and staff are being diagnosed with deadly allergies, she has become aware that some schools throughout the world have made decisions to rid the school environment of well-known allergens, such as peanuts, and added that she thinks that there are certain things that need to be done in the BVI in that regard.
She has suggested that a legislative or policy approach be taken to proactively address the situation, including possibly requiring children with allergies to carry an EpiPen.
Acknowledging the receipt of significant reports of mould in schools, Minister for Education Hon. Sharie De Castro said that one of the underlying issues is that the Ministry of Education is made to spend significant funds to remedy recurring mould growth, while the source of the problem, which is leakages in the roof or other water entry, is not being addressed.
She revealed however that efforts are being made to address this. In the previous school term, she noted, three schools were identified, and works were done to seal their roofs.
The Ministry is seeking to do the same for other schools that have been identified as having mould issues.
Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Hon. Melvin Turnbull briefly spoke on the issue as he commended Minister De Castro, her Permanent Secretary, the Deputy Chief Education officer and all other personnel involved for taking a head on approach to dealing with mould in schools, because such an issue is very hazardous to human health.