Ceiling Fan Falls on Complex Student As Outcry Over School Maintenance Issues Grows Louder

A student at St. Croix Educational Complex was injured Thursday morning when a ceiling fan fell during class, adding to growing concerns about the safety and maintenance of public schools in the Virgin Islands. According to the V.I. Department of Education (VIDE), the student received immediate aid from the school nurse and was transported to the emergency room for medical attention.

The student, whose injury was to his left side, received stitches and is in stable condition, St. Croix Insular Superintendent Dr. Sharlene Belton-Gonzalez confirmed when speaking with the family. The department’s statement Thursday afternoon added that an investigation into the incident is underway, and the VIDE will conduct a comprehensive assessment of all ceiling fans at the school to ensure this is an isolated event.

Photos and videos of the student’s injury quickly circulated on social media, prompting residents to call for greater accountability and action from the Education Department. The incident comes amid ongoing concerns about the condition of schools, including mold and heat-related issues that forced students and faculty at Charlotte Amalie High School on St. Thomas to move out of classrooms last week.

The department has been under increasing scrutiny for school maintenance across the territory, with residents and educators citing a lack of timely repairs and summer upkeep. Thursday’s incident further highlights these concerns, many said, demanding immediate action to improve conditions for students and staff.