Rats, pigeons force classroom closures at Marie Genevieve de Weever School

SUCKER GARDEN--The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (MECYS) has announced an urgent Stop Order for several classrooms at the Marie Genevieve de Weever (MGDW) School after inspectors from the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) discovered extensive signs of rat and pigeon infestations during an environmental health inspection requested by Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Hon. Melissa D. Gumbs.

The inspection revealed rat and pigeon droppings, nests, and other health hazards within multiple classrooms, prompting immediate closure of rooms 103, 104, 109, and 112 through 117. These conditions were determined to pose serious risks to the health and safety of students and staff.

In response, MECYS has cordoned off all affected areas and is working closely with VSA and other relevant authorities to carry out a full program of remediation, deep cleaning, and sanitation. “Our first priority is ensuring that every child and teacher can learn and work in a safe environment,” the Ministry stated.

A total of 112 students are directly affected by the temporary classroom closures. To maintain educational continuity, MECYS has already implemented contingency measures. Several classes will be reassigned to other available spaces within the MGDW School, while three classes will be temporarily relocated to the Division of Examinations building nearby. Supervised transportation has been arranged to shuttle students safely and punctually between both sites.

To allow teachers and staff to prepare these temporary learning spaces and ensure a smooth transition, the Marie Genevieve de Weever School will be closed on Friday, November 7, 2025. Classes will resume the following school day according to the adjusted schedule.

Minister Gumbs emphasized that this immediate intervention is part of a broader effort to address long-standing infrastructural and maintenance challenges across public schools. “While our immediate focus is on restoring safe learning conditions at MGDW, we recognize that similar issues exist at other schools,” she said. “In coordination with the Ministry of VSA, MECYS will therefore be expanding inspections to all public schools to assess conditions and take prompt corrective action wherever needed. This process will also inform the development of a long-term, structural maintenance and facilities management plan, through which MECYS intends to bring all public schools up to acceptable health and safety standards and ensure that every child and teacher can learn and work in an environment of dignity and care.”

MECYS reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of all students, educators, and staff in the public education system. The Ministry will continue to issue timely updates as cleanup efforts progress and will communicate clearly when it is safe for students and teachers to return to their regular classrooms.

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