Displaced Union Island students back in classrooms

Displaced students from Union Island on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, assembled at the renovated old Teacher’s College building at Arnos Vale for the start of the new school year. Principal, of the Union Secondary School (UISS), Darrel Williams, urged his students to be aware that there will be differences in their new environment compared with that on Union Island which was much more closely knit.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves (R) interacting with some members of the staff of the Union Secondary School (UISS) at Assembly on Tuesday. (Photo credit API)

“Union Island is a small community where everybody looks out for one another. Here, you are in a different environment where you have to look out for each other, and we are your designated safe space; if you’re having problems, please, talk to us,” he urged.

Williams addressed each form and reminded the students that the current situation would be temporary.

In a later interview with SEARCHLIGHT, elaborating, Williams said, “We cautioned them as to what to expect. It’s different here than in Union Island, which is a small community, but we are here to support them. We ask parents not to show up today… but to always be present, come and visit; see what the kids are doing, and attend PTA meetings”.

The Principal mentioned that PTA meeting numbers are usually small, adding that these meetings are essential to keep parents updated with any changes at the school.

“At PTA meetings we discuss critical issues, we make decisions to help the children, and I’m hoping that things will change concerning PTA,” said Williams.

He also gave an update on the work ongoing at the school plant on Union Island. He said that a generator is being set up to power the school until the electricity is restored, and also spoke of water purification work that was carried out by Water Mission. He said the school’s water tanks were blown away during the passage of Hurricane Beryl. The majority of displaced primary school Union Island students began classes at the Arnos Vale venue on Wednesday, September 11, while those who opted to remain on Union Island were scheduled to begin school yesterday, September 12, 2024.

The primary school students who began school on Wednesday are from the Stephanie Browne and Mary Hutchinson primary schools.

“So the class will be joined together; one grade five [etc.]… and I think it’s the same concept here until things get back to normalcy, Williams said.

He is hopeful that as homes regain internet access, classes can be done virtually before the students return to Union Island, “but all in all, we have to make good of a bad situation. It’s a new environment for children. We caution as to what to expect”.

There is a complement of 13 teachers at the new school facility at Arnos Vale, “So it means a case of synchronised teaching. Except there be additional staff, we have to coordinate teaching with those who remained in Union Island”, Williams explained.

There were approximately 62 students from the UISS at the facility on Tuesday, however, Williams said that number is likely to change as he and his staff were yet to have all the names of students who were present that day. “We’re still counting numbers, and they (the students) are spread apart in some parts of St Vincent, however, there has been transportation arranged to bring them here to school.”

Secondary School students at the temporary school facility at Arnos Vale will have access to computer and science laboratories, as well as a library. There is also a tennis court, and work was ongoing on a playing field.

The staff has access to an administrative building and a parking lot that was also still incomplete.

“We are content that there is a space for us here, that we can carry out school in light of the situation in Union,” said Williams.

He explained that being at the institution “feels like a different world; it is not bad in terms of the facility. I anticipate when all the works are finished, we will look good…”.

Prime Ministe,r Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who also was at the assembly, said when the Union Island Secondary School was constructed it had cost the government EC$12.5 million, one of the most expensive schools, and the figure to rebuild after the hurricane is expected to increase. He encouraged the students to get settled in, noting that the government is fully committed to their welfare.

During the assembly, Minister of Housing, Orando Brewster announced that the government is working to provide accommodation on Union Island for persons from the mainland who desire to be engaged in the rebuilding work in Union Island.