Ministry of Education has cleared the Ivan Dawson Primary School for return to classes today Friday 6 October. However, word to our newsroom confirms Parents have pushed back due to major concerns post Tropical Storm Phillipe and will not send their children back until certain requirements are met. 

Most alarming is that our newsroom understands the school was flooded with sewerage filled water and must be completely cleaned before parents return their children to the environment. 

Areas of Concern provided to Guavaberry Media from the Parents. We understand that these have been pointed out to Claude Kettle, Acting Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Education during a phone conversation with parents. 

1. The cistern needs to be pumped and cleaned out as the water is no good, not even for toilets.
2. The ceiling tiles that are wet need to be removed. He ‘Claude Kettle’ said they are aware of a roof leak in the auditorium. The K and G1 classes have leaks too. 
3. The rooms on the first level need to sanitized. The walls are still ‘running’ water. The need to dry out. 

Mr. Kettle was also asked to leave the areas open over the weekend to dry, and a final recommendation from parents was not to open until these three items are rectified. 

Mr. Kettle did not provide a completion date to the parents, but indicated he would speak to the Ministry per information from Parents.

Parents are adamant they will not return their children under the circumstances. 

In an update on Face Book from the Government of the Virgin Islands on the reopening of schools, parents of the school have shared their position and outrage on the matter. Read here: https://www.facebook.com/100064564519032/posts/pfbid023GikFKsRcvviPEgYFAjRXbYfXpLT68zFefDocwGk7pHeZK9KZSCx75PNdS8tWMG5l/?d=w&mibextid=lFK8d0

As of press time, there were no updates issued on whether the school would reopen today as originally planned.