Classes resumed yesterday at Queen’s College after fleas were exterminated from the school compound.
The infestation disrupted classes at the school since late last month, when teachers discovered the pests in the attic of the school. The fleas multiplied and spread throughout the school, which led to classes being relocated from the compound in order to facilitate fumigation.
The infestation was said to have been caused by piles of old paper locked away in the attic. However, irate parents, at a meeting at the Ministry of Education recently held at Richard Ishmael Secondary School, said that the school lacked proper sanitary disposal and that their children were exposed to stray cats and dogs that were flea-infested.
Queen’s College students were attending classes at Richard Ishmael Secondary while the fumigation at the school was ongoing.
“Everything went as planned,” a Queen’s College teacher told this newspaper yesterday. “The curriculum wasn’t affected in any manner… we were closing down on it when the school got infested,” she added.
The teacher also mentioned that even though classes continued, the sixth formers hardly attended sessions because there weren’t proper laboratory facilities available.
Chairman of the Board of Governors of the school, Conrad Plummer, told Stabroek News yesterday that if there was any slippage to the curriculum they will ensure that it is resolved.
Brian Woodruff, the President of the Queen’s College Old School Students’ Association, said yesterday he was unable to give a comment on the infestation. “We are still waiting on a report from the board,” he said.
The Ministry of Education in a statement announced that the school term will be extended to December 21, in order to make up for the number of days lost due to the situation.
