STUDENTS attending Stella Maris Primary and Nursery were yesterday forced to discontinue classes due to an invasion by Africanised bees in a section of the school.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Headmistress Marna Kendal explained that on her arrival at the school, she could not have entered her office because of the presence of the bees.

“The bees were all over in the office; we could not have entered the room,” she said. Kendal related that the security guard pointed out that some of the bees came from the empty field across from the school.
Concerned parents were seen hustling and bustling to pick up their children. One parent noted that a teacher called him and he subsequently informed a few more parents. Some parents were observed standing outside the school chatting and lauded the teachers and headmistress for their concern and speedy notice to parents on the matter.
According to the headmistress, two classrooms at the back of the school were also infested with bees. “We had to evacuate those students first before we raised an alarm,”she said, adding:

“One student was stung, and was taken to the hospital. It was reported that the child is doing fine.” Kendal said that no nests for the bees were located within the compound of the school. “We keep the surroundings very clean, and nothing of the sort is within the compound.”
Pointing to the trees in the alleyway behind the school, the headmistress said that it is believed that some of the bees came from that area.
The school has since made contact with the Ministry of Education and the ministry has notified the headmistress that they will be sending a private company to look into the matter.
The Education Ministry said in a press statement yesterday: “It was brought to the Ministry of Education’s attention that sessions were disrupted at the Stella Maris Nursery and Primary Schools earlier today (January 15) after a swarm of bees from a nest outside the schools’ compound entered the buildings.”
The Ministry said further that it would like to assure the parents and guardians that all necessary precautions have been taken and the bees’ nest has been removed. The area has also been cleared. Further checks will be conducted today to ensure the health and safety of the children and staff of the schools.
Meanwhile, the Education Ministry advised that Stella Maris Nursery and Primary will re-open on Monday, January 19.

(Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)