Several weeks after troubled residents took to the media to publicise the deplorable conditions of the senior secondary school at Kwakwani in hopes that the situation may be rectified, the pleas of parents remain (seemingly) unheeded as students continue to endure the strain of having no electricity in school.
Guyana Times previously reported that high voltages within the school’s electrical system caused numerous instances of electrical fires, sparking wires, and the emission of smoke from outlets in classrooms and other sections of the building, posing a serious hazard to students and staff of the institution. Moreover, according to sources, reports were optimistically filed, but these only led to a bigger problem — electricity to the building was disconnected.
Kwakwani Secondary School
Consequently, this led to a much bigger problem: various departments were unable to function effectively, since most of their appliances/apparatus use electricity, thereby hampering learning. Fortunately, Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM) and Technical Drawing exams at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level, commenced prior to total disconnection of power.
A source disclosed that the problem has existed since January this year during which frustrated parents lodged several complaints to the Education Department. Following “empty promises”, a collective decision was made not to resort to a protest or strike in light of the ongoing CSEC examinations, as this would only prove to be a distraction to students or worse, possibly result in the school being closed.
Based on reports reaching this publication, the school intends to meet with parents today to have discussions before making any further decisions. “(Today) we will decide where we will go from here…,” one concerned resident stated. Another community member, speaking to this newspaper on Monday afternoon, related that post-publication, the Regional Education Department had promised to rectify the problem, but the assistance has been long in coming. (Paula Gomes)
