Representatives from the Alliance For Change (AFC) on Friday donated four toilet sets and other items to the Parent-Teachers’ Association (PTA) of the Santa Rosa Primary School even as the body was sent a directive from the Regional Education Office not to accept any items from the party.
However, the chairperson of the association, Mark Atkinson and a few other parents went ahead and accepted the items as they indicated that they were acting in the interest of the 700 plus children at the school who still use pit latrines.
AFC’s General Secretary, Clayton Hall (second from right) hands over some of the items to chairperson of the Santa Rosa Primary School PTA, Mark Atkinson while AFC leader, Raphael Trotman (right) looks on with other parents. (AFC photo)
The issue of pit latrines still being used by public schools sparked a debate when nine-year-old Tenesha De Souza died after she fell into a latrine at Santa Rosa on her first day at school.
Following her death the PTA had issued a release asking for assistance to install flush toilets at the school and the AFC responded by saying that they would donate the toilet bowls and other items, including plumbing material, to the school.
However, their offer did not have a favourable reception from Education Minister Shaik Baksh who at a press conference last week said that the AFC would not have been allowed to donate to the school unless it got permission from the school management, the education department, the regional administration and ultimately the Ministry of Education. The minister had said that while his ministry accepts assistance from international bodies and non-governmental organisations it “would not allow the AFC to use this as a political agenda for their political objectives and goals to go into these schools and do what they want.” He further stated said that the party would have to work along with the established system and should not be “jumping on the bandwagon wildly.
“This is a matter concerning the health [and] safety of schoolchildren in Guyana which I as minister and the Ministry of Education have deepest concern for and we would work tirelessly to ensure the safety and health of the school population,” the minister had stated.
Following the minister’s statement Atkinson had said his body would accept donations from the AFC and any other organsiation or individual since they had made a public appeal. “This is not a political issue. My only concern is for the 700 children at the school… We asked for assistance and if the AFC or anyone comes forward with assistance we would accept it,” the man told Stabroek News.
‘Petrified’
AFC leader Raphael Trotman yesterday told Stabroek News that they made a quiet donation to Atkinson and others as they did not want to make a “grand splash” following the negativity that was attached to their offer. He pointed out that ultimately the donation was made for the benefit of the children and the community at large.
According to Trotman he had an informal conversation with some female students of the school and he learnt that they were petrified of the pit latrine and following the death of the child they had resorted to using the bushes to relieve themselves. He pointed out that the installing of the flush toilets is urgent so as to assuage the trauma and fear of the children.
He said members of his party see themselves as citizens first who have a duty to help all Guyanese as politicians, doctors, lawyers or whatever profession they are in. “In this regard we are willing to work with the government or any non-governmental organisations or individual,” he said.
Trotman said he found the written directive from the regional education office disturbing. He said that it is disappointing that party politics should come into play in real situations where citizens require help.
On behalf of his party Trotman expressed gratitude to the corporate citizens and other individuals who donated the toilet sets and cash. “Our gratitude too to the residents of Santa Rosa for being gracious enough to accept the gift,” he said.
I, as an executive member of one of the many Government schools, am suprised at Shaik Baksh directive to the school’s P.T.A. not to accept the toilets from the A.F.C. when we, at our school, are told to get whatever we want however we can because the Ministry DON’T have money. Again, I am asking Shaik Baksh, why don’t you dig a pit latrine at your Fort Street, Kingston residence AND USE IT.
Communism at its best.
“Even after failure if we cant get the credits for damage control then nobody must”
Who dares to take credit in front of the PPP marxists?
The gift is for the students and staff of the school, I don’t see a reason why it shouldn’t be accepted. Or they are thinking politically, fearing that the community would sell their concience for the 4 toilet sets?
Why the government didn’t make a positive reaction after the death of the student , and start to construct new toilets..
A child falls into a pit latrine and dies, and the AFC comes through with a plan to prevent a recurrence, but the government sees it as politics? Contrrary to the irrational rantings of government spokespersons, this is not political gamesmanship; it is called responsible leadership. Something that is sorely lacking in government.
Everthing in Guyana is political and 50% of the time the Gov’t is on the wrong side of commonsense and the welfare of the people. It’s really tough to understand how they get votes at elections time.
Political agenda? I’sn’t the gov’t putting thier own political interests first when they attempt to deprive 700 students of the use of as basic an amenity as toilets?
It would seem to me that if they indeed had the interests and well-being of the nation’s children at heart, they would be pleased that someone had the sense to come forward and fill the need.
I think the Minister is just feeling bad that they still operate schools under these primitive conditions, but his stance on the AFC’s donation is only making the gov’t look petty in addition to being incompetent.
Opportunistic politicking or not, this is a positive move. We CANNOT afford to lose the future of our dear land to cesspit accidents in the 21st century. Besides I believe that no harm can or will be done if the AFC choses to save our taxpayers the expense of paying for the toilets if the party choses to donate them. Our only responsibility will be the installation & maintenance which are a small price to pay if it will ultimately save lives & help to make the education environment of our young brains more conducive to studying.
Well done AFC.
I am not suprised at the minister’s decision to try to prevent AFC from donating the toilet sets to the PTA much less the school. This administration is reactive to everything instead of proactive. A child have to fall into a latrone pit and drown before someone realise that in these days we should have moved ahead a long time ago. Then there was this rambling about who used latrine and who did not fall in. An organisation decides to do something positive amoung the defening, useless clammering and those in authority conclude it is for political milage and try to put a block on it. If it is for political milage, so what? doesn’t the safety of our children comes first? I would not be suprised if Mr. Allicock is faced with thewroth and malevolence of the minister or his agents in a few days. We need to stop being petty and see others as trying to help with Guyana’s development.
“This is a matter concerning the health [and] safety of schoolchildren in Guyana which I as minister and the Ministry of Education have deepest concern for and we would work tirelessly to ensure the safety and health of the school population,” the minister had stated.
If indeed so why was the interest of the students and teachers not addressed long ago.
There is one flush toilet for teachers and staff then systems are in place to accommodate flush toilets for the school population.
Not only does the teachers and staff deserve flush toilet system but the students.
I am happy that the Chairperson and other members of the Santa Rosa PTA refused to be kicked around by this reactive and dictatorial administration and accepted the gift as that’s what it is considered to be to add comfort and modernize the facilities of the school.
Minister of Education, join the citizens crying out for change and progress.
Now that the AFC has managed to secure a few Amerindians vote they should go around the whole Guyana and donate toilet bowls to all schools that do not have flush toilets, that will show that they are really concerned about the safety of those students who are still using latrine , then maybe I will see their donations as not political but humanitarian
Is tjhat all you can come up with?
so what are you jealous.
Coolieman you are unbelievable. Do you realise that a child actually died, do you realise that a life was lost because of the gov’t reluctance to provide adequate toilet facilities and they haven’t made a move to provide anything since.
Now that someone else has stepped up YOU ARE SAYING WHAT.
AFC donate some more the residents of Santa Rosa are grateful
Coolieman. The last time I heard such ignorance it was a certain head of a certain big-shot secretariat saying some nonesense about the usefulness of some half dead helicopters!
I’m sure you’re smarter than that. My humble advice to you is to let your common sense take precedence over your (misplaced) loyalties.
I,m surprise with your comment im sure that u are name and nature ,why didn’t u donate it living in the us. stop with all the negative crop and look at the good that others r doing to help
This same Shaik Baksh once denied donated water to residents of Cummings Lodge during the 2005 flood because he proclaimed “y’all got 4×4s there.” True. Four of them in one family out of several hundred.
“This is a matter concerning the health [and] safety of schoolchildren in Guyana which I as minister and the Ministry of Education have deepest concern for and we would work tirelessly to ensure the safety and health of the school population,” the minister had stated.
If that is so Mr. Minister why try debarring an organization from improving the facilities and safety of the said students.
There is one (1) flust toilet currently in use by the Teachers and staff meaning systems are in place for additional flush toilets yet no effort was made to have them in place but said ” We are not going to phase out pit latrines as they are accepted internationally by PAHO”.
The AFC rose to the occassion and made a meaningful donation what’s so wrong with that.
Even if as you are saying the AFC is playing politics then do better by showing the hinterlansd schools how much you and the administration “really care”
I could recall having to get furniture made for my daughter after writing SSEE to attend a school in Georgetown as they were inadequate accommodation.
If the PTA and organizations of Urban and Rural schools see the need to solicit donations for the modernization of schools why not let them.
STOP the dictatorship Shaik Baksh, had it being a family memeber of yours, who suffer from the tragedy at this school your version and action would have been different. When you people will stop fighting like crabs in a basket eh! I’m Sick of this Dictatorship behaviour… i hope the 700+ parents take note of this and when election comes they make a proper decision of whom to vote for and NO MORE DICTATORS….