UPDATE: Gaseous release occurred in vicinity of ESHS- Ed. Ministry
In a press release issued today March 22, 2013, the Ministry stated that it was clarified that there was a gaseous release in the vicinity of the Elmore Stoutt High School which occurred while the Water and Sewerage Department was treating the water in the water station located outside the Northeast gate of the campus.
"During this purifying process, the mixture released a pungent odour that caused some students from the Elmore Stoutt High School to be affected and consequently rushed to Peebles Hospital," the release stated.
It further said that upon becoming aware of the strong odour and subsequent effects, officials from the Elmore Stoutt High School contacted the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Fire and Rescue Services Department, Sol Gas and other relevant authorities who immediately responded to the situation.
"In keeping with the school’s disaster management plan, the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture Dr. Marcia Potter advised school officials to evacuate the campus and accompany students to the old Softball Field. This was done in an expeditious and orderly manner."
The Ministry aslo confirmed that classes had resumed today.
See previous story posted on March 22, 2013
Investigations continuing on source of 'fumes' at ESHS
Classes at the Elmore Stoutt High School resumed today March 22, 2013 after investigations so far have reportedly proven that the fumes that affected the school yesterday March 21, 2013 did not emanate from within the premises of the High School.
At least three students were taken to hospital yesterday after reportedly being overwhelmed by fumes suspectedly from a gas leak.
Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer ag. Ms Jillian Douglas-Phillip told Virgin Islands News Online she couldn't release any information to the media. "I am presently working with the Government Office on preparing a release that should come out before the end of the day," said Phillip.
A reliable source has informed this news site that teachers were informed that investigations are being conducted to determine the source of the fumes.
It was also confirmed that all the examinations that were scheduled for yesterday were completed and there is no need for any rescheduling of any examinations.
See previous article posted on March 22, 2013
UPDATE: School suspended at ESHS following evacuation
- students to be informed of status by way of radio announcements
Acting Principal of Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS), Mr Wade W. Tobin has announced that school has been suspended. He told this to students and teachers while they assembled at the Bandstand after the evacuation.
According to Tobin, students will be informed via radio announcements whether or not there will be classes at the school tomorrow Friday, March 22, 2013.
He said students taking school leaving examinations/CXC will be advised accordingly as soon as possible.
This information was heard by Virgin Islands News Online while at the Bandstand as Mr Tobin was using a public address system to address students and teachers.
As the news spread, parents were seen rushing to the ground, some expressing concerns about the location of the school. "There is a lot of waste land around for them to be having the school there exposing the kids to that." What's the "that" he was referring to is unknown by this news agency as he declined to speak directly to this news site.
See previous story posted March 21, 2013:
Suspected 'toxins in air' blamed for ESHS students suddenly fainting
- 3 students reportedly taken to hospital after fainting; school building evacuated
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- (Post Time: 2:30 P.M.) Students and teachers were in a state of panic at the Elmore Stoutt High School after a few students suddenly fainted and an announcement that harmful "toxins may be in the air".
According to reports, some three students were rushed off to Peebles Hospital today March 21, 2013 after fainting.
A source at the school informed Virgin Islands News Online that an announcment had been made over the P.A. System that teachers and students should remain in their classrooms and offices due to suspected toxins in the air.
This was not going down too well with the teachers, however, as they felt that if indeed toxins are in the air they should be allowed to evacuate the school immediately.
This news site understands that the school has since been evacuated.
Virgin Islands News Online is working on more details to this story.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
38 Responses to “UPDATE: Gaseous release occurred in vicinity of ESHS- Ed. Ministry”
Your comment made absolutely NO sense whatsoever. How can school be kept on a field with limited seating? How can the cultural centre accommodate 1300+ students? What sort of order will there be if all the students are in the multi-purpose sports complex, shuffling to find their teachers and get to their mixed classes? It would truly help if people like you would think before you speak and post comments as inane as this. MY OPINION, is that if YOU are not on the inside looking out, you should not be one to say whether there should be school, and under what conditions.
May the good Lord bless us all and may he open the eyes and minds of all those trying to solve this problem.
Thank you for your GRACE AND MERCIES and please preserve the children, who are the heritiage of this land.
Hush your r@$$ booooo to the dam minister of education he has caused too much hurt
never the less ! thank god the kids are ok!