Two students from Jordan Hill Presbyterian school who were hospitalised on Wednesday night after inhaling fumes from a leaking school sewer have been discharged from hospital.
Six others who received treatment at the Princes Town District Health Facility were kept away from classes as the school was shut down indefinitely yesterday.
About 45 other students had to be taken home by their parents on Wednesday after they experienced bouts of nausea, vomiting and respiratory problems.
In an interview, T&T Unified Teachers Association’s (TTUTA) first vice president Lyndsey Doodhai said classes were dismissed yesterday and TTUTA advised all staff members not to stay in the school until the leaking sewer was rectified.
The County Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) for Victoria said there was a crack in the septic tank around the PVC outlet which was causing raw sewage to flow to the surface. The CMOH recommended that the tank be emptied, sealed and repaired.
“TTUTA is concerned about what happened. We believe that something like this could have been avoided if proper procedures were followed. We are calling on the Education Minister Anthony Garcia say why the school was reopened without approval,” Doodhai said.
The school has 600 students and 24 teachers. It may be closed for most, if not all of next week.
Photos courtesy TTUTA
