Education chiefs have ordered a safety review of public school facilities after another Cayman Islands high school had to be shuttered because of asbestos.
Pupils at Cayman Brac’s only high school will likely have to attend online classes from home at the start of next term after the potentially hazardous material was found in the school building.
It is the second consecutive year in which Caymanian students have been left without proper facilities because of asbestos. Last year, students at the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre were forced into makeshift classrooms at the Family Life Centre.
Now asbestos has been discovered at the Layman E. Scott Sr. High School on Cayman Brac.
Education Minister Rolston Anglin insisted there was likely no “immediate risk” from the asbestos, but he said the school buildings would be shuttered until remediation work was complete.
He said, “No student or member of staff will return to campus until all works are complete and the final air quality results confirm that it is safe to do so.
“We understand the inconvenience this may cause to some families, but safety must remain our highest priority.”
Anglin added that a “broader, safety review” of school facilities would now be needed.
A press release from the Ministry of Education stated that students on Cayman Brac would begin the next academic year with “hybrid instruction”. It did not specify exactly what that would involve, but it is understood to refer to a mix of online classes and in-person lessons at a different location. More details will be communicated to parents in the coming days, the ministry said.
Asbestos was discovered in a section of the school’s roof and in the tilework of one classroom during testing in late June, according to the press release.
“Although the material remains contained and undisturbed, and there is no indication of immediate risk, the ministry decided to act out of an abundance of caution,” Anglin said. “Once I was apprised of the situation, I called for comprehensive testing to be carried out, ensuring that the matter is resolved with the urgency, transparency, and diligence it deserves.”
The Department of Education Services is finalising discussions with certified environmental professionals “to undertake a full remediation and provide oversight, ensuring that service delivery meets the highest industry standards”, the release noted.
Sister Islands MP Nickolas Da Costa, said, “These temporary adjustments may cause some inconvenience; they are essential to safeguard the long-term health and safety of our community.”
The Layman E. Scott Sr. school is more than 50 years old and the buildings are in a state of disrepair and “reaching the end of their useful life“, according to a business case report that made the case for investment in a new school.
Work is under way on the new high school, which had an estimated budget of around $60 million. However, the new government had indicated it was reviewing the controversial project in an effort to find cost savings.