PLANS are progressing to ensure that pupils of La Parfaite Harmonie Primary School, at West Bank Demerara, are able to complete their National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) Examination, which was interrupted by a fire in the building on March 26.

The update report was given in a press release issued yesterday by the Education Ministry, through its Public Relations Officer, Ms. Suelle Findlay-Williams.
It stated that, according to Superintendent of Examination, Ms. Saudia Khadir, candidates will finish Mathematics Paper Two and Social Studies Papers One and Two when the school reopens after the current Easter holidays.
According to the release, the exact date for the completion of the tests will be announced later.
Fire ripped through a part of the building that houses the La Parfaite Harmonie Nursery and Primary Schools, shortly before midday on March 26, while the second day of the exams was in progress. Fortunately, invigilators acted quickly and made sure the candidates exited the premises to safety.
Reports said the flames were started by a male candidate who was also taking the tests and it was during the 15-minute break that he went under the building, as was his habit.
Other candidates who were visibly traumatized told the Guyana Chronicle 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 section of the edifice was ablaze and they evacuated quickly, in an orderly manner, as the conflagration spread.
Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam, who went to the scene, spoke with the children, their parents and teachers who had all gathered there and said he was very happy that everybody was safe.
Meanwhile, Chief Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle had said when they received the call, they responded with two tenders from West Ruimveldt and Central Stations in Georgetown and doused the flames.
He stated between 30 to 40 percent of the middle section of the one-flat concrete structure was severely damaged.
Gentle said the GFS is carrying out investigations and the findings will be made known.