Kwakwani Secondary School reopens after devastating fire

After a devastating fire completely destroyed the Kwakwani Secondary School in Pathville, Upper Berbice River, during the preterm week of the 2025/2026 academic year, the school was reopened on Monday, October 27.
According to the Department of Education-Region #10 at the reopening, “Monday, October 27, 2025, marks a truly heart-warming moment for the Kwakwani community – the full reopening of Kwakwani Secondary School!
Heartfelt thanks to the Ministry of Education and the Regional Democratic Council, Region 10, for their continued commitment and tireless efforts to ensure the school was reopened in the shortest possible time. Your dedication has restored not just a building but a beacon of hope for our students and teachers.
Special appreciation goes out to Mr Orvil August, whose generosity and compassion made it possible for our Grade 11 students to continue their face-to-face sessions during our most difficult period. Your support ensured that learning never stopped,” the department noted.
At approximately 03:40h on Sunday, August 24, 2025, the school, a one-storey concrete building, was engulfed in flames before firefighters could bring the blaze under control.
According to reports, a corporal stationed at the Mackenzie Police Station said he was at the annual Kwakwani Village Fair at the nearby ballfield around 03:40h when he noticed a large fire in the Pathville area.
He immediately alerted the Kwakwani Police Station. A Police Sergeant and two other ranks responded to the scene and discovered that the school was already on fire.
The ranks quickly summoned auxiliary staff and a fire pick-up vehicle and went into action. Despite their efforts, the flames had already consumed the building, leaving it completely destroyed.
The school, which was powered by electricity from Kwakwani Utility Inc, had reportedly experienced power outages throughout the night.
Police further reported that a security guard attached to Homesafe Security Service, who was on duty at the time, discovered smoke coming from the headmistress’s office on the southwestern side of the building during routine checks. He immediately contacted his supervisor.
The section of the school destroyed housed the information technology laboratory, the head teacher’s office, the auditorium, which was being used as classrooms, the library, the staff room, and both student and teacher washrooms.
No injuries or fatalities were reported, and while it is suspected to be electrical in origin, no exact cause has been reported, and it remains officially under investigation.