On Friday we reported on an incident that took place at St Edmund's RC School in Teakettle Village-where 11 standard 6 students had to be rushed to the Western Regional Hospital Emergency Ward - after experiencing sudden dizziness, weakness and some even fainting. Many of the Villagers believe that Friday morning's incident was caused by spirit possession. Whatever happened, the mass faintings still cannot be explained by doctors or the school.
Today was the first day back at school for these students - but instead of showing up alone, they showed up with their parents, who demanded that they children be removed from the church - which was serving as their classroom and be placed in a proper classroom. One parent told Monica Bodden how she feels about it:..
Evelyn Dominguez, Parent
"We wanted a new building for the kids because my son was one of the children that was there on Friday, so we really want a new building for them because my son is scared to go into the building, so we want a new building and he doesn't agree to go back inside, he said he is afraid, he said that he doesn't know when it can come back and he feels bad. I really don't want to send him back into that classroom."
"The PTA and the principal had a meeting and they said that until Monday they will start to build a wooden building - a temporary classroom for them, until January to December. I told them that I don't think he will go in that classroom. We agreed to let them go under the tree that is in the school compound."
Monica Bodden
"And what did they say?"
Evelyn Dominguez, Parent
"They didn't say really what they decided, but I will not let him go back into that class he doesn't want to go back."
Monica Bodden
"Until the building is done?"
Evelyn Dominguez, Parent
"Until the Building is done yes. Until next week Monday it will start and I don't know how long it will take."
Monica Bodden
"And for the mean time they are offering counseling at the school?"
Evelyn Dominguez, Parent
"Yes, they said that they will have, they just interviewed him just a while ago, but they still don't want to agree that it was something. They said that it was maybe something in the air."
A temporary structure will be put up on Monday - where the students will be house until the end of the term. By then a new school building should be up.
