FIRE ripped through a section of the building that houses the La Parfait Harmony Nursery and Primary Schools, West Bank Demerara, shortly before midday yesterday.

It happened when children were sitting the second day of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examination, but fortunately, invigilators acted quickly and ensured that the candidates exited the premises to safety at a teacher’s house close by.
Reports indicated that the blaze was started by a male student who was also taking the exams and it was during the 15-minute break he reportedly went under the school, as is his habit.
Visibly traumatised students told the Guyana Chronicle that they were writing when they began coughing and saw smoke in the classroom and alerted the teachers.
They said it was then they realised that a part of the structure was on fire and they evacuated quickly in an orderly manner as the conflagration spread.
Some said a male pupil, who was also an examination candidate, was missing after the break ended and that prompted a search for him before he showed up, and it was then smoke filled the classroom.
Chief Education Officer Olato Sam, who went to the scene, spoke with the students, teachers and parents, who had gathered there.

Alternative arrangements
He said he was very happy that everybody who had been in the school was safe and, given the fact that a fire took place, the exams were discontinued until alternative arrangements are made in the new term.
Mr. Sam said a time will be set for the second part of the NGSA to be completed after the holidays.
During the short meeting yesterday, he said the children’s names will be extracted from a register, and once everyone is accounted for, they will be released to parents and can go home.
He told the gathering that another meeting will be held with parents and teachers once the new school term starts and a date will be fixed for the continued sitting at the La Parfait Harmony Primary.
Speaking to the media, Sam stated that he received a telephone call about the occurrence and the GFS has commenced an investigation to ascertain the origin of the fire.
Meanwhile, Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle said when they received the call, they responded with two tenders from West Ruimveldt and Central Stations in Georgetown and doused the flames.
He said about 30 to 40 percent of the middle section of the one-flat concrete property is severely damaged.
Gentle confirmed that the GFS is investigating and said the findings will be revealed shortly.
In another disaster on Monday night, fire severely damaged the Bygeval Secondary School, and teachers living quarters at West Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara. Gentle said that it was after 23:00hrs and two tenders from Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice and Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, responded and contained the flames from spreading to the school building.

Mentally challenged
He said it is suspected that the fire began in the head teacher’s living quarters where she resides with a mentally challenged sibling.
The Education Ministry, through its Public Relations Officer, Ms. Suelle Findlay-Williams, confirmed that the fire destroyed part of the head teacher’s accommodation and four of the six adjoining teachers’ quarters.
A press statement said that while an investigation was initiated, the Minister of Education, Ms. Priya Manickchand, has committed the Ministry to making every effort to ensure that teachers are adequately accommodated as soon as possible.