Students at two public schools will not attend classes today as maintenance on the buildings has caused delays.

For many it will be the first day back at school today, however students at Clearwater Middle School have been told to stay home until Friday at the earliest.

And students at Paget Primary are expected to show up, but instead of attending classes they will be supervised by Ministry of Education staff as some classrooms and bathrooms are still not ready.

Last month asbestos was found in the ceiling of the Clearwater Middle School's kitchen. After clearing it out tests were done to determine if it was safe to return.

School principal Carlos Symonds said they have decided to wait for the outcome of air quality sample tests before returning to premises.

The Commissioner of Education supported the recommendation, and the missed instructional days will be made up during the course of the school year.

Sources told The Royal Gazette there were termites, water damage and mould in rooms at Paget Primary. Some of the bathrooms were also in need of serious repair.

At the end of the school year staff were told the Ministry of Works and Engineering would complete the work during summer. However, it now turns out that work is incomplete and some rooms are not fit for instruction.

Late last night the Ministry of Works and Engineering said they were unaware of any mould in the school.

It added: "The Ministry does advise that the best way to mitigate the potential for mould is the constant introduction of fresh air within a space. The general public should also be made aware that not all air conditioning units provides a fresh exchange of air, but only circulates and conditions the air present in the room.

"The Ministry further advises that one should open the windows within a space; preferably first thing in the morning; for approximately 30 minutes to promote this exchange.

And when it came to the bathrooms the Ministry said they have done their best to complete the repairs, they added that they were not told that bathrooms were unusable until "late July or early August".

"Works and Engineering informed Ministry of Education that they can do the upgrade but the bathrooms will not be functional in time for the first day of school in September," a spokesman said. "The Facilities Manager acknowledged this issue, stating that the school has other bathroom facilities that can be utilised in the interim. Works and Engineering then proceeded as requested.

"With the combined efforts from local contractors and Works and Engineering staff working diligently over the weekend and even the Labour Day Holiday, works within the bathrooms are substantially complete ahead of the original projected timeline. The project has experienced issues with the unavailability of some materials needed for the total completion.

"Works and Engineering has prepared and installed temporary or substituted materials and fixtures until the original specified materials are available. This will allow the bathrooms to be used when the school opens if the Ministry of Education so desires."

• Are you a parent or teacher at either school with concerns e-mail news@royalgazette.bm