James Osborne, a student of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and President of the Student Council thereof, suffered great financial loss when his home at 19th Street, Dazzell Housing Scheme, ECD went up in flames in the wee hours of the morning of February 13.
In an effort to provide Osborne with relief, Chief Education Officer Dr Marcel Hutson, on Thursday presented James Osborne with a financial donation on behalf of the Education Ministry.
Chief Education Officer Dr Marcel Hutson (right) handing over the donation from the Education Ministry to CPCE student James Osborne in the presence of Head of Student Support Services at CPCE, Senior lecturer Esta Utoh
Dr Hutson noted that the Education Ministry values its teachers, and whenever they are facing difficulties, the Ministry empathises with them. He said that although the donation cannot replace what was lost, it can be utilised by Osborne on his journey to recovery.
Present at this engagement was Senior Lecturer in charge of students’ welfare at the Center for Student Support Services, Esta Utoh.
Recently, the Education Ministry also offered similar assistance to Johan Osborne, the sister of James Osborne, who also had suffered losses due to the fire.
Johan Osborne is a teacher at Queen’s College. Her son, who attends the St. Roses High School, was also a recipient of a donation from the Board of Governors of St Roses High School, and students and staff of that institution also made a donation of several items to him. The package handed over to the mother and son included a laptop computer, food, and household items along with a financial contribution.
The remains of James Osborne’s home at Dazzel Housing Scheme, ECD following the fire on February 13, 2021
Reports are that two-storey concrete building in which the Osborne family members resided was completely destroyed by fire on February 13 at about 03:00h. According to James Osborne, he was asleep in the lower flat of the building when he was awakened by loud noises coming from the upper flat.
He said that, on investigating, he noticed that the house was engulfed in flames.
The man told this newspaper that he and his family members formed a bucket brigade, but they were unable to extinguish the fire.
The family was unable to save anything from the home. (G15)
