Security heightened at schools, other education Ministry premises
CHIEF Education Officer (CEO), Mr. Olato Sam, announced yesterday that, in light of the two failed arson attempts on public education facilities in less than two days, security has been heightened at all delivery institutions as well as other Education Ministry premises.

He said the Ministry is awaiting reports from the Police, who are working in close collaboration with the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).

Both attempts were made on Sunday, first to burn the  Enterprise Primary School and, later, the Annandale Secondary School, both located on the East Coast of Demerara.

The buildings were saved by bucket brigades of villagers and security guards.

The Enterprise discovery was made around 04:00 hrs Sunday and at Annandale about 19:20 hrs that evening.

“Until we have the reports, we have put the security guards and other officials on alert. We are working with the Police and they have agreed to step up their patrols in the areas where schools are,” Sam said.
Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) Education Officer, Mr. Baydewan Rambarran said the two schools have full time security and, at the regional level, checks are being made to ensure that the officers perform, not only at the two schools that were targeted, but across the Region.

“We are urging the security persons, as well as the headteachers and other stakeholders to be more alert,” he said.

Rambarran pointed out that damage to educational facilities put the nation’s children at a disadvantage.

“Why would we want to put our children at a disadvantage,” he asked, adding that, at the end of the day, it is taxpayers’ money which is invested.

Classes have resumed at the two institutions but attendance by Enterprise pupils was less than half, although all the teachers were present.

The fire, which slightly scorched the place, was set on the lower flat in the eastern wing and the security guards, who are usually in the compound at night, were on duty when the flames were lit, for a not yet ascertained motive.

Police said residents observed two men jumping out of the Annandale school compound and, later, saw smoke emitting from the building.

Checks were made and a lighted pile of newspapers was found on the lower flat and extinguished by a security guard and residents.

Investigating Police, subsequently, discovered two containers suspected to have contained kerosene and gasolene.

Police ‘C’ Division Commander, Assistant Commissioner Gavin Primo said, yesterday, that, no one was arrested for the arson attempt at Enterprise either.

Suspicion in relation to Enterprise put the focus on villagers whose loud playing musical appliances were shut down by Police, earlier.

It is believed that drunken revellers, angered by the Police action, may have tried to torch the school.