Dissatisfied with the state of the Beterverwagting Primary School and the Regional Special Needs Centre amid a pigeon infestation, parents of children attending the two schools shut both schools down today in protest. They claim that enough is not being done to address the problem.

The two schools have been battling the pigeon infestation for the past three years and the situation has worsened in recent weeks.

Pigeon droppings and feathers could be seen throughout the classrooms and offices and along the corridors.

When News Source visited the school this morning, the gate was locked and the school was empty. Only pigeons could be spotted on the roof and roaming the classrooms.

A small group of students stood outside of the school compound, as parents complained bitterly about the situation.

Last week, the Minister of Education, Sonia Parag, said that some work was expected to be done at the school to address the problem, but the President of the Parent-Teacher’s Association, Alvin McCurdy told reporters today that problem still exists.

“This morning, we have taken a decision to close the gates of the school because of the condition of the school. As much as work is being done at the school, it is not sufficient. Also, the environment is not conducive for learning or teaching. The teachers are frustrated, and the children are getting sick by the days. Everyday children are getting sick. Parents are afraid to send their children to school,” McCurdy explained.

McCurdy, who has two children attending the school, said “enough is enough” as he demanded the presence of the Minister of Education at the school.

The frustrated father said while the Education Ministry “intervened” last week, no proper steps were taken to sanitize the building. He explained that there was an attempt to paint the building without washing or sanitizing it.  Added to that, he said while works are ongoing at the school, pigeons have been relocating to other sections of the school building.

Former President of the PTA, Marlene Rodney said the environment is no longer conducive for pupils and teachers to learn and operate.

“When you go into the washroom there is no water. At the back of the left hand side of the school, the drains clog. You go to the back of the school where they put vents for these pigeons, is pigeon eggs and other pigeons soon to come out. When come down to where you have the special children, the same thing, up from the roof, the dust is so much, the teachers can’t open their bowl to eat, even students. Teachers cannot function in this kind of deplorable state,” Rodney said.

Rodney expressed concern that the installation of the mesh to keep the pigeons out may give rise to ventilation issues, and the Education Ministry may be forced to install AC units in the classrooms to children cool.

She suggested shutting the school down for the week, and having it properly sanitized.

“Close the school for a week for a week, give the students a chance to stay at home, spray the school, power wash the whole school then let the teachers, parents and students come back to the school. Because every day or every week, we will get hospital runnings. I think if they spray, that will keep the pigeons away. This vent that they are blocking, they are going to suffocate children in there, it is going to be too hot for them,” Rodney reasoned.

As parents were speaking to the press, two Police officers arrived at the scene to monitor the situation.

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Regional Councilor Neville Cumberbatch also arrived at the school and confronted the PTA President and other parents on the decision to lock the school gate. He said the Government was doing its best to resolve the issue.

“I live in BV, and every moment that these children are outside, they are looking educational time. So, what is the reason for locking the gate?” the PPP/C Councilor questioned as he summoned the senior police present, and later instructed the police to open the gate.

He told reporters that the school was closed for a period of five days from last Thursday to Monday to facilitate remedial work and children must not be prevented from entering the compound.

“We closed the school down from Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday was holiday, and we opened back on Tuesday for emergency works to take place,” he said.

Cumberbatch gave reporters a tour of the school to show that the school had been cleaned.

However, many of the classrooms were covered with thick pigeon droppings and feathers, and there was no running water in the washroom facilities. (Svetlana Marshall)

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