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Safety standard bar in schools needs to
be raised higher says Butler Liberal Opposition Critic for Education and MHA for the District of Port De Grave, Roland Butler, calls government's recently announced investment in school laboratory safety commendable, but says that it fails to address a much larger school safety issue, namely that related to mould contamination. "Government has committed $2.2 million to improve laboratory safety standards in schools throughout the province, all in the name of safety; and yet, it has continuously neglected to show any concern about the need for a comprehensive evaluation to target mould infestation in all schools across the province,"says Butler. "There simply cannot be a double standard when it comes to school safety. What is the rationale in making one area of the school safe if the whole school is plagued by a much more problematic contaminate which is more threatening to the health and learning ability of students?" The Liberal MHA has repeatedly called on the minister of education to carry out a cross-provincial review of all schools to determine the extent of mould and other environmental and general maintenance problems that have shut down several schools this past fall. The minister has chosen not to carry out this precautionary testing which would identify health and safety problems in schools. This has left many parents, staff and students wondering, and in fact stressed, as to whether they are exposed to unsafe conditions and whether any existing illnesses and learning problems are mould-related. "Confidence has been eroded in the safety of schools across the province with the series of revelations that a number of schools have been toxic with mould. This a serious health and learning problem as it can hinder children's performance in the classroom and affect their grades and self_esteem. The anxiety and fear generated by the possibility of occupying a mouldy school also have negative effects physically and psychologically. "It is rather ironic, given the mould toxins that have been uncovered in schools, that this government has once again gone on the boasting circuit stating they have raised the bar in school safety. Cleaning up laboratories is only part of the solution. I remind the minister that only by creating an indoor air quality standard in all areas of the school, not just in the laboratory, would the safety bar in schools be set at a satisfactory level for all concerned."
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