Most schools across St. Vincent and the Grenadines will resume normal, face-to-face operations today, Wednesday, following the severe weather conditions that affected the country on Monday.
“The overwhelming majority sustained no significant infrastructural damage and these schools are prepared to reopen; however, a few institutions suffered heavy flooding and, most critically, the ongoing loss of a reliable water supply,” the Ministry of Education said on Wednesday.
The ministry said that to ensure the health and safety of staff and students, the following schools will remain closed today, due to the active water situation:
- Belmont Government School
- Brighton Methodist School
- Calder Government School
- Cane End Government School
- Dorsetshire Hill Government School
- Emmanuel High School Mesopotamia
- Evesham Methodist School
- Gomea Methodist School
- Marriaqua Government School
- New Prospect Primary School
- St. Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua
The announcement around 5 a.m. Wednesday came hours after the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union (SVGTU) on Tuesday called on the government to consider several issues before deciding when schools should reopen following the disruption of essential services as a result of heavy rain Monday night.
Union President Fiona Charles-Williams said the union recognises the importance of instructional time.
She, however, said the union was compelled to appeal to the Ministry of Education, the National Emergency Management Organisation(NEMO), and all relevant authorities to consider seriously and urgently the “water crisis”, “road safety and landslides” and “general safety and well-being” before a decision is made regarding the reopening of schools on Wednesday.
“Many schools and homes across the country remain without a reliable supply of pipe-borne water, making it impossible to maintain basic sanitary conditions and proper hygiene in our learning institutions,” Charles-Williams said.
She said the reported landslides “throughout the length and breadth of our nation” should not be dismissed as past tense with the saturated conditions of our soil.
“As such, this poses a significant risk to students, teachers, and parents who must commute, particularly those in rural and hillside communities and those who walk to school.”
Charles-Williams said that with saturated soils and continued instability, the risk to life and property remains elevated.
“The safety of our students, teachers, and ancillary staff must remain paramount. We cannot in good conscience encourage our members and our nation’s children to traverse dangerous terrain or to occupy facilities that are not hygienically safe,” the union leader said.
“The SVGTU therefore respectfully calls for a thorough assessment of schools and access routes, and for the restoration of safe drinking water, before schools are reopened.
We stand ready to support the Ministry in ensuring a safe return to the classroom as soon as conditions permit.”
Charles-Williams said the union was saddened by the impact on various families and communities throughout the country and thanked God that there was no loss of life as a result of the weather.
“We also applaud the efforts and attempts of the relevant authorities to restore order and various services in these adverse conditions,” she said.
Several houses were damaged, and flooding and landslides were reported across St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including the capital, Kingstown, as a tropical wave dumped 130.2mm (5.2 inches) of rain on the country in the 24 hours ended 6 a.m. Tuesday.
NEMO said Tuesday night that severe flooding was reported at Leeward District SDA Primary in Buccament Bay and South Rivers Methodist School, where the river overflowed its banks.
There was “structural and roof leakage” reported at Greiggs Government and Early Childhood School.
The Central Water and Sewerage Authority reported that the Majorca intake is severely damaged.
NEMO said that 36 persons across 8 families (23 in public shelters, 13 in private arrangements have been displaced as a result of the extreme weather.