Panama school to resume classes after 30-day odor-related closure

Students and staff at the Papa Francisco de Azuero Integral Bilingual Training Center in Chitré are set to return to classes on Monday, July 6, following a suspension of over 30 days. The closure was prompted by strong odors detected within the school premises.

Parents and school personnel received detailed explanations from the Ministry of Education (Meduca), the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Health regarding the recommendations for safely reopening the school. Key measures include thorough cleaning of classrooms with soap and water, washing curtains, cleaning air conditioning filters, and sanitizing open areas of the campus.

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The Ministry of Education has a total of 70 administrative staff specifically for cleaning. In addition, parents have also offered their support and collaboration to ensure the school is ready for our return on Monday, July 6.

Ruth Frías, the school's director, confirmed that Meduca has allocated administrative staff to oversee the cleaning process. "The Ministry of Education has a total of 70 administrative staff specifically for cleaning," she stated. "In addition, parents have also offered their support and collaboration to ensure the school is ready for our return on Monday, July 6."

Esteban Vargas, a parent representative, described the ongoing cleaning efforts, which are being conducted room by room and module by module. "Meduca personnel are responsible for the cleaning. We have over 40 assigned from the region, and parents who are cooperating. We currently have 30 teams working in 30 classrooms and will move from module to module to ensure the entire school is cleaned," he explained. Parents and even students have been seen at the school, removing personal belongings to facilitate a comprehensive cleaning of each building and classroom. Authorities anticipate that with these measures in place, the educational community can resume in-person activities as planned.

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Meduca personnel are responsible for the cleaning. We have over 40 assigned from the region, and parents who are cooperating. We currently have 30 teams working in 30 classrooms and will move from module to module to ensure the entire school is cleaned.