Over 60% of north west school was destroyed by fire, plans being drawn up for students
As part of efforts to ensure learning continuity following the destruction of the North West Secondary School, the Ministry of Education will be asking the school’s Grade 10 teachers to work one additional hour in the morning and afternoon sessions.
This is according to a release from the Ministry which explained that during a two-day visit to the Region One, Mabaruma Sub-district a team from the Ministry assessed the physical damage caused by the fire and worked to put systems in place for the re-opening of the school.
Chief Education Officer (CEO) Dr. Marcel Hutson stressed that schooling for the students of the North West Secondary is a top priority and that the visit was being made to activate a plan of action that will be implemented to ensure students are meaningfully engaged.
During a meeting with Regional authorities including Chairman Brentnol Ashley, Regional Executive Officer Tikaram Bisesar and an engineer attached to the Region it was revealed that over 60% of the building was destroyed in last Friday’s fire.
Ashley explained that the region is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure all temporary sites are adequately equipped and operationalized to facilitate the teaching-learning process. He said that this will be done while the process of renovating or constructing a new school building will be expedited.
In the interim, students will continue to use the dormitory with a new entrance being created for safe access. Grade 10 teachers will work one additional hour in the morning and afternoon sessions, a designated area at the Learning Resource Centre will house the administrative section of the school and that each identified temporary site will be supervised by a senior member of staff.
According to the release, the acting Head teacher Indra Chacon highlighted a draft operational schedule to guide face-toface interaction while allowing parents and teachers to share their views.
“Based on feedback, all teachers and parents present were in support of the operational plan,” they stressed.
The team from Central Ministry
comprised of Chief Education Officer Dr. Marcel Hutson, Deputy Chief Education Officer (AHED) Marti DeSouza, Chief Schools Inspector Saddam
Hussain, Coordinator of the Schools Board Secretariat Roopnarine Tewari and Technical Facilitator Kerwin Jacobs.
The Regional Education Officer,
Akbar Chindu and Education Officer Fareeda Jacobis also participated in the site visit and subsequent meetings.