Montrose Vedic pupils still itching, sue ministry

THE Parent Teachers Association (PTA) of the Montrose APS Vedic School has sued the Ministry of Education, seeking information on the air quality and cause of itching and skin rashes among pupils.

In a judicial review lawsuit, the PTA said since 2011, pupils had developed rashes, but the pests causing a biting sensation, skin irritation and itching have not been identified.

As a result, classes are often disrupted despite the ministry having done several tests.

In March, National Security Minister Stuart Young announced at a post-Cabinet briefing that a lease for a parcel of land to build a new school had been agreed on. He said, “This has been within recent times quite a source of contention and unfortunately, the children at the school were complaining for a while now about itching and scratching and being uncomfortable in the school environment.”

PTA president Larry Dilchan, in an affidavit in support of the lawsuit, filed last week Tuesday, is seeking the ministry's report on the lease for the land for the new school.

He also said despite letters to the ministry seeking documentation on the tests that had been done, none was forthcoming. He then sought to access the documents under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) but no avail.

Attorney Richard Jaggasar, acting for the PTA, filed the lawsuit seeking judicial review of the ministry's failure to accede to Dilchan’s request under the FOIA.

Dilchan, on the PTA’s behalf, also wants the results of tests done by the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute on air quality at the school; tests on itching, biting and rashes; recommendations made; and a report on insect-vector testing.The lawsuit further requests reports by a dermatologist who assessed pupils and teachers at the school.