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December 8, 1997
(Education)

The following statement was issued today by Roger Grimes, Minister of Education. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

The health and safety of our children, teachers, and other workers in the schools of Newfoundland and Labrador is my highest priority as Minister of Education.

In light of concerns regarding air quality issues in our province's schools, last spring 2.5 million dollars was committed in the Budget to address air quality problems. All school boards were advised that this funding was available and were asked to identify schools which required immediate attention. As a result, a number of improvements have already taken place and others are currently in progress.

Funding has been approved for a new school for Buchans and planning for the construction is under way. Since the new school will not be ready for occupancy for some time, the board conducted air quality testing in the existing Buchans school, last spring. Over the course of the summer, remedial action recommended from testing, was carried out to ensure that air quality was at acceptable levels and posed no health threat. The board has further advised that in September, tests were carried out and they showed that levels of fungi and COTc readings were within normal limits.

However, the board then conducted further testing in November and was advised that fungal contamination was at levels deemed unacceptable and had to be removed. In discussion with the parents, the board decided to close the school on December 4 until the problem was rectified.

At no time did the Occupational Hygiene Technologist recommend that the school be closed, however, I am satisfied that the board acted responsibly in closing the school given the level of parental concern.

I have been advised that the Director of Education along with a Occupational Hygiene Technologist is meeting with the school council and the parents of Buchans today. I understand the concern of parents and as Minster of Education want to assure parents that the school will not be reopened until all health and safety concerns have been adequately addressed. My officials were in contact with the board today and will continue to work closely in an effort to resolve the problem.

In conclusion, let me assure members of the House of Assembly and the people of the province that the safety of our students, teachers, and other school based workers will not be compromised and that funding is available to address air quality problems in schools. Boards have been advised to submit applications to the School Construction Board, funds have been approved and action has been taken.

To provide further assurances, I am providing a copy of an Indoor Air Quality Study undertaken during the spring of 1995. As previously indicated, school boards were provided with this infomation so they could initiate appropriate action.