-final decision hinges on feedback from GFS, GPL

WITH the commencement of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination set for June 28, several Form Five students of the fire-ravaged North Ruimveldt Multilateral School and their parents have requested that the school’s auditorium be prepared to accommodate the 65 students during the exam period.

The request was made during a meeting with the Minister of Education Priya Manickchand and the school’s administration at the East Ruimveldt Secondary School, on Monday.
On Saturday, a mysterious fire destroyed a section of the school where the classrooms and the Science, Home Economics and Information Technology laboratories were located. The school’s $3 million ‘smart’ classroom, the first to be launched in Guyana in 2015, was also located in the gutted section.

In response to the request, Minister Manickchand said that use of the school’s auditorium for examination purposes has to be cleared by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), the Guyana Power Light Inc. (GPL) and the Chief Electrical Engineer so as to ensure safety and that there are no disruptions.

The request is based on a dire need to have to the students housed in one location and not have them separated during any of their exams. Having the exam at the school would also allow the students to be in a familiar environment.

At the meeting, parents expressed concern over the students being placed at other schools, which they noted could potentially cause anxiety and discomfort.
Minister Manickchand stated that the ministry will give the GFS and GPL until Wednesday to approve the auditorium for use. She further explained that if the building cannot be used, a decision will be made by the Ministry of Education (MoE) as to where the examination will be written.

The other potential locations being mulled by the ministry are the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), the University of Guyana (UG) and the Police Officers’ Mess at Eve Leary.
Minister Manickchand disclosed that if students are expected to be transported to another location, the government will absorb the full cost and any other associated costs.

Meanwhile, she encouraged the students and reminded them that their emotions regarding the tragedy are not misplaced. She charged them to remain resilient and to do their best.
The students were encouraged not to feel as though they have lost their school, but to ensure what they have learnt while attending the institution is reflected in their behaviour and conduct as they go into the world of work and furthering their academic studies.

“If there is something that drives you even further in this period it must be that the students who wrote their CSEC the week after their school burnt down performed excellently. That must be what drives you,” she emphasised.

Further, Minister Manickchand pledged the ministry’s support in meeting the psychosocial needs of the teachers and students.