The reopening of the One Mile Primary School has been shifted back by two weeks to facilitate preparatory works while systems are in place to make up for lost time.
The largest primary school in Linden was destroyed by fire during last month’s protest, in an act of arson by persons unknown; one person was arrested and subsequently released for the lack of evidence.
While Minister of Education Priya Manickchand had announced that every effort would have been made to have all 843 pupils of the school in a classroom on September 3, a notice on the local television said that the pupils will commence classes on September 17.
According to the notice, only Grade Six pupils will commence classes on Monday and will be housed at the Block 22 Community Centre. Commencing from September 17, 150 Grade One pupils are to occupy the One Mile Nursery School Building, which is in the same compound of the burnt out primary school and the 555 pupils of Grade Two to Grade Five will be accommodated at the Wismar Hill Primary School.
Attempts to contact Manickchand and the regional education officer yesterday for details about the delay proved futile.
However Stabroek News was reliably informed that it was due to Education Ministry’s inability to have all the necessary amenities in place for Monday.
According to the notice, classes will run for an extra half hour daily to make up for lost time.
During a recent meeting with parents and teachers in Linden, Manickchand had indicated that the reconstruction of the school will take between one to 18 months. Residents have committed to having the building completed up much earlier.
They have commenced preparatory works while several private individuals, groups, organisations and companies have committed to the process.
Several overseas organisations have also been engaged in fund raising drives.
