IT was total madness among teachers and students on the West Bank of Demerara after an out-of-school group of four boys attempted to invade the L’Aventure Secondary School at Canal Number 1 on Friday last.

Reports reaching the Guyana Chronicle, as well as information gathered from several students suggest that the attempted invasion may have stemmed from an altercation Thursday among students at the school.
Students said the school, which is not unaccustomed to drama like that which unfolded Friday, saw at least four separate fights on Thursday that, in one instance, led to a teacher allegedly being assaulted by a student. Another saw a regular troublemaker being gang-banged by several students, including a lone female, which fight reportedly led to Friday’s attack on the school in retaliation.
The students explained that while the child who was gang-banged did not show up for school Friday, his brother did with some of his friends.
According to reports, the men circled the school looking for an alternative entrance rather than using the front gate. They walked along a dam near the school and ended up on a playfield behind the institution.
From there, they gained entry into the school’s compound and attempted to make their way into the building, but were prevented from doing so by quick thinking on the part of vigilant teachers. Both teachers and students, sensing that the situation could have gotten out of hand, quickly took precautionary measures.
The teachers reportedly herded all the students into the school’s auditorium, while those that were being targeted were taken to the Home Economics Department.
This latter action by the teachers incurred the wrath of the marauding bunch, who were very eager to enter the school, and, arming themselves with beer and other glass bottles, they advanced to that department.
On arrival there, they immediately began hurling the bottles into the school which forced the teachers to lock everyone indoors and secure the windows.
The police were subsequently summoned to the school, but when thery did arrive, the young men had already made good their escape in a waiting white car.
When the Guyana Chronicle arrived on the scene last Friday afternoon, all the students were out of the building and compound, with some making their way home, while others lingered on the streets.
A police patrol vehicle was also seen in the area, stopping several buses and ordering students who were still lingering on the streets to get into them and head home.
The teachers, meanwhile, upon seeing that a reporter was present, closed their doors, saying that there was nothing newsworthy going on.
The head-teacher was not willing to speak with the media, and directed all questions to the Deputy Education Officer of the Region, who in turn directed all questions to the Ministry of Education in Georgetown.
The Guyana Chronicle was informed that the police from the La Grange Police Station, after leaving the scene, searched in vain for the would-be invaders.
The police are investigating the matter.