Teachers who claim they were made sick by mould at CedarBridge Academy have praised an “unbiased” report on the crisis — but say it should have recommended the sacking of principal Kalmar Richards and others in charge.

The shocking report — produced by an independent panel led by overseas environment expert Kamoji Wachiira — reveals how mould took hold of the school while senior management “seemed to deny over a long period” the problem.

All the teachers who spoke to The Royal Gazette about the report — which itself described “expressions of fear” from staff about speaking out on the school environment — requested anonymity.

One female teacher, who suffered chronic illness while working in the Devonshire building, said the panel had shown character and integrity by producing an unbiased, straightforward document which showed all sides of the argument.

“They provided a straightforward presentation of the situation as it occurred and they got the information of off factual evidence,” she said.

The teacher — who was interviewed during the panel’s two-month inquiry earlier this year — said: “If you asserted a fact you had to back it up with documentation. They appreciated openness and how people felt and the emotion but they didn’t let that get in the way of how they were going to present the report.”

The teacher said the only thing the Wachiira Report lacked was a recommendation for Mrs. Richards — who was alleged by many teachers to have moved her daughter from a classroom with suspect air but allowed others to work there — to step down or be fired. She added that members of the board of governors who ignored warning signs should also be removed from their posts.

“Mrs. Richards definitely needs to go unless she has a viable explanation for her actions. She needs to be removed from her position. The board members need to be removed.”

The teacher praised Education Minister Randy Horton — who closed the school last November for a $4 million cleanup — for making the report public last Friday.

“Randy Horton does not need to resign,” she said. “Minister Horton did what the other ministers weren’t able to do. He had enough intestinal fortitude to go out and admit it in public.”

Another teacher, who was also interviewed by the panel and is still off work sick, said: “I went to Mrs. Richards on several occasions and she never did anything. I honestly feel that the administration, because of the covering up, they are totally responsible. The administration along with the facilities manager.

“So many students got ill, so many teachers got ill and you did nothing. You need to go. I’m hopeful the Government will do the right thing and take heed of what the report said.”

The teacher added: “To date nobody has ever contacted me from the Ministry — there has been no communication. Nobody, not even the administration, picked up the phone to say ‘are you okay?’. The report opens your eyes. I’m really happy that this report gives credence to what we have been saying all along.”

A former CedarBridge teacher who underwent painful surgery for sinus trouble described the mould at the school as prolific five years ago. “I think the biggest problem we have got is that they are putting people in positions they are not qualified to do. Ross Smith (former facilities manager) is one of many.

“They have got to get rid of the Ministry of Education completely. It’s crazy the way it’s so totalitarian at the school and at the Ministry that no one dares speak out.”

A contractor who worked on the school’s construction ten years ago told yesterday how he saw corners cut and mistakes made because the project was mismanaged.

“Little did I dream it would lead to what has happened in the last two or three months,” he said, adding that he did not send his son to CedarBridge because it was such an “experimental” building.

Mr. Smith denies claims that he was at fault and George Scott, governors’ chairman, says the board is now well aware of its responsibilities. See separate story for Mrs. Richards response.

[box] Were you affected by the CedarBridge mould crisis? Call Sam Strangeways on 278-0155 or email sstrangeways[AT]royalgazette.bm to tell your story.