Work continued at two of the Island's schools yesterday on what was scheduled to be the first day of class.

While students were attending Paget Primary School, Ministry of Education staff were also on hand to help ready classrooms and bathrooms.

Meanwhile, Clearwater Middle School remained closed as officials wait for the results of air quality tests following the discovery of asbestos in the kitchen ceiling.

Mike Charles, secretary for the Bermuda Union of Teachers, said that both educators and Ministry of Education staff were doing what they could to deal with the situation.

"The students did come in at Paget Primary," said Mr. Charles. "When they did, Ministry of Education officials were there to help get the classes ready, and as more classrooms became available they were utilised.

"I think it wasn't the best situation, but in the end everything worked out all right.

"We are glad that they have decided not to open Clearwater until they have the results from the air quality tests, but all these things should have been done some time ago."

He said that despite knowing when the schools would reopen, every year problems arise.

"This is a very stressful situation, but it happens every year," he said. "If it's not one school, it's another.

"We all knew when school was supposed to start, and the work should have been done by then.

"It's up to the employers to make sure their employees have a safe working environment."

Shadow Minister of Education Grant Gibbons also criticised the Government for failing to complete work before the start of the school year.

"It is unacceptable that two schools are not ready to receive students for the start of the new year after the long summer break," he said.

"The two-month summer break should give Government adequate time to get into the buildings and effect repairs and maintenance."

He asked about what steps Education Minister El James had taken to deal with the problems.

"When did he find out that the schools would not be ready on time? And when he found out, what additional steps were taken to address the problem?

"Manpower should not have been an issue given the high number of unemployed construction workers."

"It is essential for Government to lead by example, particularly in education. Failure to meet deadlines, failure to get things done on time sets a poor example for children to follow, not to mention shortchanging our students of critical class time."

The Ministry of Works and Engineering did not respond to a request for comment yesterday.

On Tuesday a spokesman for the Ministry said they were approached to renovate the bathrooms at Paget Primary School in "late July/ early August".

The spokesman added: "Works and Engineering informed the Minister of Education that they can upgrade, but the bathrooms will not be functional for the first day of school.

"The Facilities Manager acknowledged this issue, stating that the school has other bathrooms that can be utilised in the interim.

"Works and Engineering then proceeded as requested."