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Mould outbreak forces closure of Isabella Morris Primary

Classes at the Isabella Morris Primary school have been temporarily suspended due to a mould outbreak at the school. Photo: VINO
Some of the mould which seeped through the recently painted wall in one of the classrooms. Photo: VINO
Some of the mould which seeped through the recently painted wall in one of the classrooms. Photo: VINO
Parents being turned away after bringing their children for classes at the school. Photo: VINO
Parents being turned away after bringing their children for classes at the school. Photo: VINO
CARROT BAY, Tortola, VI – The Isabella Morris Primary School has been officially closed today, April 23, 2013 due to mould infestation which has been recurring for several months now according to Principal, Sylvia Adams.

The decision, reportedly made by the Department of Education, has come after repeated reports and complaints about its effects on students and teachers at the school.

One concerned parent noted that several students as well as teachers have fallen ill as a result of the mould issues being faced.

Custodian at the school, Ms Geniecia Smith, related that the decision came after several attempts were made to resolve the issue by painting over the affected areas. This reportedly proved to be useless, since the mould kept growing past the newly painted surfaces on each occasion.

The source of the mould reportedly came from porous sections of the roof which allowed moisture to seep through the walls of several of the classrooms at the school.

According to the Principal, most of the rooms of the school have been affected by the mould. “They started work on fumigating… but it’s a terrible problem. They've been working on this ever since school started, so the problem would be solved, then it returns, it’s a recurring problem,” Principal Adams stated.

She added that it appears that workers have finally discovered the root of the problem after consultations with persons from Puerto Rico.

Ms Adams also disclosed that the current exercises being conducted should have the issues resolved within the next two days.

Parents were being made aware of the situation as they brought their children for classes earlier today and were being advised to listen to the radio for further updates.

Minister for Education, Hon. Myron V. Walwyn had been asked about the situation at the school at a community meeting held in Carrot Bay a few months ago and expressed that he believed the issue was resolved. 

Attempts to contact the Minister as well as the Acting Chief Education Officer, Mrs Jillian Douglas-Phillip were unsuccessful as of post time.

41 Responses to “Mould outbreak forces closure of Isabella Morris Primary”

  • Vance (23/04/2013, 10:08) Like (8) Dislike (17) Reply
    "40yrs of VIP, 6yrs of NDP, who to blame" critic where you deh big man?
    • AC 360 (23/04/2013, 11:31) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
      This could have never happen under vip and fahie every day its clear the ndp cannot manage this country 2016 hurry come na
      • Vance (23/04/2013, 13:58) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
        Fahie was Minister up to late 2011. Mould don't grow up just so out of the blue. do the math fool.
    • Native Boy (23/04/2013, 16:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      like all the NDP paid bloggers "under the weather " or what all dem could do tis blame the VIP....struppsss
  • rattie (23/04/2013, 10:29) Like (4) Dislike (44) Reply
    Oh no can the ndp get anything right
  • Seriously? (23/04/2013, 10:37) Like (6) Dislike (16) Reply
    schools not being maintained properly is not going a sign of going from 'good to great'.
  • Hmm (23/04/2013, 10:54) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Have all public schools fully inspected before the the opening of the next school year.
  • What a ting to tell the king (23/04/2013, 11:00) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wow anyway let's just give the Cane Garden bay a 250,000.00 dollar check and forget about the school children. That's what the school children say... Stupid is as stupid does Oh yea that's right we don't have any money for problems like these just months away from finals
  • critic (23/04/2013, 11:54) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    I thought myron said the problem was dealt with?
  • hi (23/04/2013, 12:46) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    this political reporting MUST STOP
    • polo (23/04/2013, 16:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      THE DEMISE OF THIS BVI STARTED SOME 30 something YEARS AGO UNDER THE VIP AND CONTINUES AT A FASTER PASTE WITH EVERYONE AFTER, ESPECILLY WITH THIS NDP> NONE is BETTER THAN NONE
  • Stop It (23/04/2013, 12:46) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    This wasnt a major problem under Fahie. Myron said he fixed it but obviously he lied.
    • Go Sit dung (23/04/2013, 14:32) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      There was mold problem and other problems at Isabella Morris and Leonora Delville during Fahie's time as Minister. Mold does not just all of a sudden start to become a problem in one year. The problems with the schools is years of lack of proper maintenance!
      • Agree (24/04/2013, 10:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        The schools were not properly maintained and instead of refurbishing and giving them a thorough cleaning, Hon. Fahie put A/C. Why would you really put A/C in the Isabella Morris Shool? The school is right next to the sea. Open the windows let the classrooms get fresh air. Put screens on the windows to prevent mosquitos, etc. I went to school there and we had no mold problem because we had no A/C.

        The young teachers and politics in the 1st District is going to ruin everything including the children.
  • what a thing (23/04/2013, 12:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Myron didn't pay the exterminator that's why they wouldn't come to fix the problem.
  • Ah saw (23/04/2013, 12:49) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Myron them could pay consultants millions. Travel all about the world for millions. But can't pay the people for exterminating the IMPS so the children have to suffer.
    • Nicky (23/04/2013, 16:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I think they need to fire those persons who are responsible for testing and assessing mould conditions in the schools as they seem to be busy playing politics. Why on earth do they continue to camouflage the situation. They needed to address the problem head on and deal with it once and for all. Its the children are suffering in the end, not the politicians.
  • poor (23/04/2013, 12:52) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Tell the NDP go pay to get the school fix. The man who fixed it said he ain't getting paid and he has men to pay. You could have taken that money you gave the girl to write the book to fix the school.
    • Fix (24/04/2013, 10:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      He fixed it? What is the problem now? Obviously he does not deserve to be paid if the problem is still there.
  • enough (23/04/2013, 12:54) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply

    Myron could pay his campaign manager our tax money in the millions to write speeches for him on our tax dollars but can't find the money to fix the school.

    • Release (23/04/2013, 16:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      It is good that we all can express our views in a free society we should be greatful for funny man want to shunt us down!!!

  • Stop!!! (23/04/2013, 14:08) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is very serious, we need to have this fixed in the next 24hrs. The political machine both NDP and VIP find money for what they think is important while leaving the most innocent amongst us without a school to learn their lesson. Shame on any government that plays with the future of these island. However, let's go further, why does VG not have a proper fire station? You brag about little dix and all these million dollar vacation home but God forbid a major fire breaks out your have no facilities to or fire department to properly handle the fire?

    How much money would VG lose of little biz burn down to the ground?
    How many jobs would be lost?
    How much taxes would be lost?
    How much revenue would the ferry companies loose?

    Short sited behavior on issues that can devastate these little island. Stop the political games and crap about building multi million dollar airport and then leaving our children without a school building
    • vince (23/04/2013, 15:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      let the men push their ideas to make money then those things will be addressed. no development, everybody want job and contract from government. it cnanot be sustained tis we our worst enemy. want want more than them santo.
  • only now (23/04/2013, 15:43) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    this have been a problem about five years cause my son develope asthma why attending that school .
  • tom (23/04/2013, 16:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now, why are we hearing from the Custodian on this? Where are the people who are spearheading this project, don't they have an official statement to support the Principal.
  • chad (23/04/2013, 16:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    How them going find the Minister of Education if he in Paupau New Genie to a conference that can't help us here in the VI. Money down the drain again. VIP/ NDP same $h1rt different team. Lord help us

  • Bandit (23/04/2013, 16:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The whole NDP government should resign over this. They have proven that the only thing they are good at is fighting locals and victimizing those who do not support them!!!!.

  • staff (23/04/2013, 17:01) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Big Red is truly missed. He truly did a remarkable job maintaining all the schools. May he rest in peace.
  • wise-up (23/04/2013, 19:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    A good friend of the Minister responsible for this subject should place a call to him and inform him; spend more of his valuable time paying attention to his subject area(education) and quite trying to be the Media Police
  • E. Leonard (23/04/2013, 20:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Typically, mold needs a food source, certain temperature, and moisture to germinate and colonize. Mold spores are prevalent in both the indoor and outdoor environments. Additionally, buildings provide a rich source of food---drywall, insulation, wood, paper....etc. The key to controlling mold growth is controlling moisture sources. Periodic inspecting of buildings for leaks and evidence of mold, remediating any leaks, preventing leaks and removing any stagnating water are effective means of controlling mold. Moreover, under certain conditions ( temperature, food, moisture) mold can germinate and colonize in as little as 48-72 hours.
  • frame (23/04/2013, 20:50) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    let me see how they spin this one...they must be ashame they broke another promise
  • ESHS (24/04/2013, 01:43) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wonder when ESHS will close. Day in day out is mold For over 6 years now.
  • I just Cant understand (24/04/2013, 09:39) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Air condition should not be in those buildings. Do we need a consultant to figure this out? What is wrong with us? Have they reassigned those children to other schools?
  • out (24/04/2013, 16:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    can't beleive they place the children back in this moley place
    • worst (25/04/2013, 20:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      that is the standard of professionalism that the bvi have come to accept.


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