FRIDAY, MARCH 16: Students at CedarBridge Academy have asked to undergo health tests - and their request has been granted.
The students are fed up of feeling threatened by mould contamination and not knowing why people at their school fall ill suddenly.
In a Government-student emergency meeting today, students asked senior officials to arrange for them all to be tested for possible effects of mould contamination.
Acting Premier Paula Cox has confirmed that tests would help alleviate some of the fears about mould infestation.
Just this morning, a student and teacher were hospitalized after feeling ill but, at today's press conference, officials were tight-lipped about the two episodes.
Education and health officials said that there were "a number of reasons" why persons could fall ill.
They did not describe the symptoms and they also said that more time was needed before any diagnostic information about the patients could be revealed.
Acting Minister of Education, Dennis Lister, claimed that "sick out numbers" among teachers and students at the school at this time of year are lower than previous years, even though officials were unable to provide these comparative figures for the media.
For many weeks, officials have defended their reopening of the school in January - after its closure in November 2006 due to mould problems.
In spite of the two new cases of illness, officials said the school is safe and will continue to be used.
Continued air testing; an on-site nurse epidemiologist; an asthma nurse; and, a full-time, instead of part-time, nurse, are among the continued efforts to properly assess the ongoing issues at the school.
Ms Cox initiated today's meeting at the Academy with approximately 100 students - lining up senior education and health officials behind her.
She said the meeting placed her in a "hot seat" as students wanted "to see action in a demonstrable manner."
Board Chairman George Scott said other meetings with students are planned for next week.
