May 6, 1998
(Education)

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

Phase I of the air quality testing program involving 150 schools throughout the province has been substantially completed and another 23 schools in Labrador will be completed next month. The department is now awaiting formal reports from the consulting companies which performed the studies.

As the reports are received, they will be circulated to the appropriate school board and school council. They will also be reviewed by a departmental committee which, in consultation with the school board and the Department of Works, Services and Transportation, will develop remedial strategies as required. It is anticipated that any condition which constitutes a potential health hazard will be addressed at the earliest opportunity. Most corrective measures are expected to be undertaken during the summer period.

The Department of Education has developed a Phase II of the testing program and expects to have completed air testing on up to another 70 of our schools by the middle of June.

Although it is virtually impossible to complete testing of all our school buildings in this school year, we are confident that we will be able to address school board priorities.

The department has also retained the services of Dr. Thakur Patel, a microbiologist at Memorial University, who is also reviewing the reports and consulting on any potential health concerns.

We will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that the health and safety of students, teachers, and other workers in our schools are in no way compromised.

1998 05 06                    2:15 p.m.