Pupils in at least one class of the St John’s Primary in Bartica have been using umbrellas to shelter from rain.
This matter has garnered wide coverage on social media and has also attracted the attention of Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand.
A statement from her posted on the Ministry of Education Facebook page follows:
“A picture of children sitting in a classroom at St John’s Primary in Bartica with unbrellas has come to my attention and I found the picture as unacceptable as you did. This school comes under the management, as far as repairs and maintenance goes, of the Regional Democratic Council of Region 7 ( which reports to the Ministry of Local Govt). I sought an answer from the responsible bodies and received the following. I have advised the Chief Education Officer to take whatever action is (necessary) to make sure the children are not wet while learning including to temporarily close the school, if ( necessary) and deliver distance education while the repairs are happening”
