Dionne Rose, Staff ReporterTHE MANCHESTER Health Department has given the go-ahead for the reopening of the Pratville Primary and Infant School, which it had ordered closed last week.
However, the department is yet to say what caused some 60 grade six students, two teachers and the principal to fall ill while at the school.
"We inspected the facility. We did some blood tests, urine tests and tests for traces of any chemical and the tests have shown nothing unusual," said George Sloley, chief public health inspector.
Mr. Sloley pointed out that a thorough investigation had been carried out but "we found nothing at all. Whatever it was, it must have gone."
He added that "We have recommended that the school be reopened."
When The Gleaner contacted the Ministry of Education, Dorett Campbell, director of communications, said, "We have not yet received any indication from the Public Health Depart-ment. We have to wait for that before we can proceed."
ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM
Valda Buckle, principal at the school, however, expressed surprise at the latest development and insisted that the answer had to be found before the school is reopened. "We know that there is an environmental problem. We can't just go back in there into the same situation," she said.
Ms. Buckle said that she had a responsibility to the students and stated that the community needed an answer. "Imagine if we all went back there and we have children dying?" she said.
