Barbuda schools closed for post-Tammy assessment, while reopening on Antigua enrages parents

Following the impact of Hurricane Tammy, schools on the sister-
island will remain closed today, Monday, October 23.

In a notice issued on Sunday, October 22, Director of Education
Clare Browne said that, after a careful assessment of the Barbuda
school plants today, to determine how functional they are, a
reopening announcement will be made.

Meanwhile, the Director also said there would be an “attempt” to
open government schools on Antigua today “once the all-clear is
given.”

However, his statement adds, “the operation of individual schools
will be determined based on the specific situation of each school.”
Browne has been roundly criticized for what many parents say is his
indecision and for the impracticality of opening schools today.

“What is this attempt nonsense?” an angry mother asked REAL News
on Sunday night. “We have a set of joker of spades running our
education system and the country.

“Parents have to work and would need to put arrangements in place
if their child is not going to school,” she pointed out – a complaint
echoed by many on social media.

“This a de first time me ever hear something like this notice
following a storm in all my life!” the outraged woman declared.
Other parents have noted that, with most of the country
waterlogged from rains associated with Hurricane Tammy, and with
some schools having been used as shelters, children should not
return to the classroom before Tuesday at the earliest.

Further, some said the inclement conditions all weekend had
prevented many families from doing laundry; and so school
uniforms would not have been prepared for Monday.

Two weeks ago, following the passage of Tropical Storm Philippe, the
Ministry promptly reopened the public schools – and was forced to
dismiss the students shortly after, as several of the institutions had
neither electricity nor water service.

Those schools used as shelters had not been sanitized, either, a
teacher complained to REAL News.

As a result, by mid-morning the streets were flooded with students
who had nothing to do for the rest of the day while their parents
were at work.

In this current instance, private schools have been left to decide
upon their reopening dates. Several have already announced that
classes will resume on Tuesday, October 24.