(Eleuthera, Bahamas) –  Minister of Education, Science and Technology, the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald, confirmed for The Eleutheran, that no work had been commissioned for the termite infested roof at Wemyss Bight primary this summer and that the plans now were for the roof to be completely replaced during the summer of 2015. According to Minister Fitzgerald, the roof has been ‘dealt with sufficiently’,  to last this school year.

The Wemyss Bight Primary school was one on the long list of those visited on the island by Minister Fitzgerald On Thursday, August 28th, 2014.

It’s a situation that has lingered on, at the primary school where termite lines have previously been photographed moving across the floor of classrooms and where concerns have been voiced about how healthy an environment it is for the children and staff of the school.


Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Jerome Fitzgerald (center) inspecting the main building at Wemyss Bight primary, accompanied by District Superintendent of Education, Mrs. Helen Simmons-Johnson (left) and Principal Natasha Sands (right).

Minister Fitzgerald explained the decision taken for the school, saying, “We have one or two issues and one major project that I want to address during the course of this year.  If I don’t, then I’ll want to deal with it during the summer of next year, and that’s the roof at Wemyss Bight school. But I’m satisfied that they have dealt with it sufficiently, now to at least last during this school year, but I’ll see once the scope is done and I’ll see the time frame it will take to replace parts of it; If we can do that on the breaks.  If not, I will deal with it next summer.”


Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Jerome Fitzgerald (right) inspecting the library room at Wemyss Bight primary, accompanied by District Superintendent of Education, Mrs. Helen Simmons-Johnson (left) and Principal Natasha Sands (center).

Additional unaddressed needs at the school, highlighted by the principal during the inspection visit, included replacement air conditioners and ceiling fans.  Also, it was noted that the school library had just one working computer, which was brought to the Minister’s attention. 

Additional computers and printers were promised to the school.