WE yesterday reported that the Education Ministry is looking into a termite spraying exercise at the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School in Georgetown.
The ministry said Permanent Secretary, Mr. Pulandar Kandhi, at about 10:30 hours on Tuesday, became aware that a toxic chemical from a spraying exercise at the school on Monday affected classes there.
It said this matter was brought to the attention of Mr. Kandhi by President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Mr. Collin Bynoe who informed him that he had asked unionised teachers at the school to down tools since a cleaner at the institution was affected by toxic fumes from the spraying.
The ministry said a decision was subsequently made by the Principal Education Officer (Georgetown) Mr. Marcel Hutson, to suspend classes for the day at around 11:45 hours in the interest of the children.
This should not have happened and those responsible should be held accountable.
This is a most serious matter as it involves the health of students and staff of the school.
What is baffling is that the termite treatment was not done during the customary two months for the August vacation and that the spraying took place after the school reopened for the new school year.
It is also to be noted that the Education Ministry’s policy is not to conduct spraying exercises on school days.
Fortunately, there was no serious health problem at the school except for one cleaner who was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
However, a question that arises is what if the health of the children and staff was seriously affected?
Who would have been responsible? And who would have made compensation for the damage to the health of the children and staff?
The exposure to toxic chemicals cannot be treated as a trivial issue because it is not, as the World Health Organisation (WHO) points out.
The WHO notes: “Many children throughout the world are still being exposed to `old’ poisons such as lead, arsenic, and pesticides, some of which represent important environmental threats. They are also exposed to an increasing number of new chemicals, with poorly known toxicological effects, coming onto the market.
“Some of these chemicals may be present in household products and materials, in cosmetics and toys. Others appear as unexpected contaminants in food or even in pharmaceuticals.
“For example, children have been the main victims of counterfeit or non-quality controlled pharmaceuticals, as in the case of acute mass poisoning by diethylene-glycol contained in cough syrups or exposure to methanol used in poultices. In some countries, children who, from an early age, work in the informal sector or in cottage industries are exposed to toxic chemicals widely and unsafely used.”
The WHO adds: “Children have a special vulnerability to acute, sub-acute and chronic effects of chemicals present in their micro- and macro-environments. This demands urgent recognition, evaluation and, as necessary, action. This applies to all countries, but especially to those developing and in-transition countries, where the likelihood of toxic exposures is magnified by the unsafe use of chemicals, increased pollution and lack of awareness of or interest in environmental issues. The least developed countries, plagued by economic and social distress, suffer disproportionately: toxic effects are further magnified by the resulting malnutrition, infectious diseases and poverty.”
The problem of ensuring school buildings are in proper condition for the new school year keeps cropping up. Sometimes one or more schools cannot reopen doors for the new year because either the buildings or compounds are not in a habitable condition.
When this happens, it robs the children of invaluable classroom time which the education system can ill afford.
Therefore, those responsible for ensuring that school buildings and compounds are in a habitable condition must demonstrate greater vision and diligence to their job because it is an issue that is pivotal to people’s health, especially that of children.