“If there’s no education, there’s no future.” -Carol Osborne
When the Soufriere Hills Volcano began erupting in 1995, the subsequent series of evacuations left the education system of Montserrat in disarray. The schools and churches of the island were the only places immediately available to temporarily house those who were evacuated. Schools in the south, which comprised more than half of the educational institutions on Montserrat, were constantly disrupted and shut down because of volcanic flows and evacuations. Additionally, the northern schools were needed for shelters and medical centers. Schools of the island faced closure, overcrowding, and displacement. Between 1995 and 1998 the number of education institutions on Montserrat went from 25 to 5 and enrollment dropped from 2,672 to 321.
However, in 1997 the school situation was looking up. Britain had given money to fund a new wing at the Salem Primary School, new classrooms at Salem Secondary School, and a new school at Lookout. Furthermore, the amount of evacuees residing in schools had lightened.
Unfortunately, this did not last for long. In August, with the threat of the volcano once again rising, the new wing of the Salem Primary School was first made into a shelter, then closed down completely. Six shelters had to be moved to northern schools; the new school at Lookout and the only remaining government primary school, in Brades, were turned into shelters. Furthermore, the only secondary school, which was already under strain and running on a shift system, was filled with evacuees.
In attempt to remedy the lack of school buildings, educators were reduced to using homes, villas, and tents as temporary schools. All these lacked the conditions and resources needed for proper learning. Teachers reported that the students were jittery, desperate for attention, fought over space and possessions, and had trouble concentrating.
Migration Due to Education
The decline and instability of the education system on Montserrat was a significant reason for Montserratians to migrate to the UK, the US, and other Caribbean islands. During the years of the eruptions, the population dropped from about 11,000 to 3,000. Women and children made up the majority of Montserratians who left the island. Most of them were in search of a good, stable education for the children which was missing on Montserrat. As these children have moved away, many have not yet returned.
The government is often criticized for not properly planning for education during the eruptions. However, with the volcano being so unpredictable, it was hard to determine and predict what aspects of the education system would be most affected. Fortunately, in recent years the population of the island has increased and the education system has rebounded. Montserrat is on its way to recovering and reestablishing the education system that it once so highly prized.
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