Education Minister Melissa Gumbs is clarifying the facts following concerns raised by the Windward Islands Teachers’ Union about classroom conditions at the Marie Genevieve de Weever Primary School.
Gumbs says the Ministry welcomes constructive engagement but must correct incomplete public statements. She explained that a Stop Work Order issued after a November 2025 inspection was lifted by the Public Health Inspectorate on January 12th, after the specific classrooms identified at that time were addressed.
Following a June 8th meeting with WITU, school management, and staff, the Ministry conducted a classroom walkthrough with union representatives and teachers. That tour documented additional concerns in several areas, including missing louvers, ceiling tile issues, possible pest entry points, plumbing concerns, and storage spaces needing cleaning and treatment.
Gumbs said some of these spaces were not part of the original Stop Work Order, meaning they are newly documented maintenance concerns requiring follow-up.
The Minister also announced that Ruby Labega Primary School’s roof will need full replacement, with an emergency public tender expected by the end of June and works targeted to begin in July.