The Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) said it has not granted approval for the public use of its campus in the wake of adverts being aired that claimed its “traditional campfire hosted by students” would include a bar-be-que and lime for the public.

In a press release the GSA said the campfire is hosted by its students among themselves and it had not given permission for the additional activities that are being advertised on television and in minibuses. The GSA said after it informed the organisers of its position, it then agreed to a compromise after they said arrangements had already been put in place.

The school said it agreed to allow the activities to be hosted on the condition that alcohol would not be sold or consumed on its premises. However, the organisers said on those grounds they preferred to cancel the fete. In the light of this, the GSA said the Students Society has been informed that it may proceed only with the campfire for students.

The GSA said the majority of students at the live-in institution are under the age of 18 years and that it is already challenged by behavioural problems.

“The fact that the majority of the students at this live-in institution are under 18 years of age, and that the school is currently grappling with some serious problems concerning student behaviour on campus are of serious concern to the administration.

The GSA said it regrets the inconvenience caused but it stands firm in its decision which is in keeping with guidelines laid down by the agriculture minister under whose purview the school falls.