The school board says not enough substitute teachers were available today
Whitney Institute, Flatt’s Village Photo: File image
Classes at the Whitney Institute Middle School were cancelled today due to insufficient staff numbers and a lack of available substitute teachers.
All students were released from school.
Chair of the Whitney Institute Middle School Board, Pastor Terence Stovell, confirmed that an email was sent to parents and phone calls were made to arrange transportation for students from school.
Some parents collected their children while others consented for their children to take a bus home.
A large number of staff called out sick although the board could not provide exact numbers.
Pastor Stovell added, “To my knowledge there was not a sufficient amount of substitute teaching staff that could have been brought in today” end quote.
A department of education spokesperson this afternoon confirmed they are addressing the matter with the principal, school board and the teachers union.
Apologising to those affected by the “unexpected closure”, the spokesperson said the school will update parents this evening.
Health officials last week issued a warning of unusually high numbers of respiratory illnesses being reported on island for this time of year.
