LIVE UPDATES: Schools and CDEMA relief efforts

Key points and live updates from the April 14, 2021 media conference by Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw and Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Elizabeth Riley.

Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw

• Stakeholders were finalising plans for reopening of schools.
• Preparations included the continuation of the vaccination programme, refresher training for safety monitors, getting plants ready, putting down floor markings – three feet apart – and minor works like plumbing.
• Tours were also planned.
• Blankets of ash are covering the buildings and corridors.
• Ash entered the classrooms, downpipes and guttering were impacted.
• No school has been spared from the impact of the ash.
• 105 schools from nursery to tertiary.
• We have to take action to get schools ready for reopening.
• Ancillary staff have started the cleaning.
• We will need professional cleaning services.
• Water tanks are being cleaned.
• Gutters need to be cleared of ash and disposed.
• Extra PPE equipment has been secured.
• Protocols are in place for cleaning firms
• Monitoring will be in place to ensure there are no short cuts.
• In light of the works schools will reopen on April 26
• Online classes will be delayed by one week.
• Private schools will have to determine their state of readiness and indicate to the Ministry.
• CXC: The labs have ash so none of the SBAs will be conducted until the labs are cleaned.
• Tertiary institutions are delayed for a week.
• No classes online
• BCC has started cleaning already
• The hospitality section – April 19 is the planned opening.
• Mental wellness – health and wellness committee framework is completed and ready for sign off by Cabinet.
• We will prepare for best case scenario but will have a contingency

Executive Director of CDEMA Elizabeth Riley

Since eruption:

• 20 000 people displaced
• 87 public shelters opened
• 3984 people in the shelters
• Registration tallied 2 048 persons with families up to today
• Co-ordinate with the national disaster office in your country.
• Ensure the items you send are on the needs list.
• This will change over time and should be tracked.
• Independent vessels can cause congestion at the Port.
• Financial donations can also be sent.
• Account numbers are on the CDEMA website
• Hurricane season is upcoming
• First forecast is predicting an above average season
• Estimated 17 named storms, 8 hurricanes, 4 major hurricanes