In the days after a powerful tropical wave swept through the territory, Elmore Stoutt High School has been abuzz with students, faculty and other community members attempting to rebuild.
But despite the sense of camaraderie after the storm at flooded schools around the territory, the Ministry of Education and Culture announced this week that the start date for all public primary and secondary schools is officially delayed.
Classes will now begin for all students on Sept. 18. As for educators, the Professional Development and Summer Institute originally scheduled for Aug. 21 to 25 is cancelled.
All teachers are expected to be on duty on Sept. 4 to prepare for the opening of school.
Tammy Henry, president of the BVI Teachers’ Union, said she’s glad local schools have a little extra time to dig out.
“They need more time to get ready for the start of school, so I think it was a good decision to push it back,” she said. “Even though there may have been no damage at some schools, there are still things they need to do and prepare for. After all, teachers personally suffered water damage, too. Some of their homes were damaged and were underwater.”
Most primary and secondary schools across the island fared well, but Ivan Dawson Primary in Cane Garden Bay was badly flooded, according to Ms. Henry. Water also collected in the lower level of Althea Scatliffe Primary School in Road Town.
ESHS damage
And at ESHS, the property damage was perhaps the most considerable.
A wide ghut behind one of the classrooms overflowed and “ran through the school,” Chief Education Officer Connie George said.
Just a few feet above the ravine, a perimeter wall buckled from the flooding and still remains haphazardly slanted, rubble strewn around it. Chairs and desks from surrounding classrooms had to be put in a heap on the sidewalk outside as floors dried.
Ms. George said that many have offered a helping hand.
“We called for as many people to come out and help as possible,” she said. “We even had some of the graduating classes from the ’80s. On Saturday we had about 100 total volunteers.”
Dozens of current students helped clean as well, spurred partly by a chance to gain service credit.
One hundred and twenty community service hours are required to graduate, and students were able to earn some of those credits over the weekend.
“For the most part, the mud is gone and classrooms are cleaned,” Ms. George said. “We just need professional cleaners to come in and disinfect.”
Ms. Henry nevertheless remains wary of future storms and their potential impact on the now-vulnerable schools, but she is determined to get through the most recent mess first.
A team from the BVI Teachers’ Union will visit schools this week to assess the relief efforts that still need to be done.
“We’ll put a report together to see where they need help, and what they need help with,” she said.
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