The closure of two schools in Conception Bay South shortly after the beginning of the school year again demonstrates the need for mandatory air quality inspections to be completed at all schools in the province, says Opposition Education Critic Roland Butler.

Frank Roberts Junior High and St. George’s Elementary in Conception Bay South are now closed for several months while work is undertaken to rectify the mould and air quality issues facing the schools. Students will now have the education disrupted and parents will be forced to find alternate arrangements for their children.

“I have previously asked the Minister of Education to implement an inspection process of all schools in the province to determine if any air quality problems exist,” said Mr. Butler. “Each time she has rejected the idea saying it was unnecessary, yet every year we face the same situation of schools being forced to close due to air quality issues.

“Parents, staff and students should know at the beginning of every school year whether their schools are safe to attend. A maintenance and inspection program during the summer months would certainly address these issues and ensure that problems and solutions are identified before the school year begins. Instead, every year there appears to be a student body and families who are placed in a state of chaos trying to find out where they will attend school.

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