Schools across Guyana reopened yesterday with the Ministry of Education reporting that there were no delayed openings but fresh complaints from parents and opposition representatives are highlighting deficiencies at several schools, including leaking classrooms, inadequate furniture, unfinished facilities and students being temporarily accommodated outside traditional classrooms.
Education Minister Sonia Parag, speaking to the media yesterday, said approximately 98 per cent of the country’s schools had reopened with students and teachers returning to classes.
She acknowledged, however, that several schools have had to make alternative arrangements because of ongoing works.
“There is nothing to be alarmed about,” Parag said, while explaining that the Ministry and regional education officials were working to ensure that buildings remained safe while learning continued.
One of the schools requiring a temporary arrangement is Airy Hall Nursery School, where construction is ongoing. Parag said a consultation was held with regional officials, parents and teachers, resulting in plans to temporarily relocate the students.
She said the decision was made because the Ministry did not want children exposed to an unsafe environment while also seeking to avoid disruption to their education.
In Linden, Parag acknowledged that works were being undertaken at Mackenzie High School and the Lyte’s facility, but said the Regional Education Officer, regional officials and the Ministry were working together to ensure the buildings were safe.
The Minister also stressed that maintenance works are expected to continue throughout the year, noting that schools require ongoing repairs such as fixing broken toilets, door handles and leaking roofs.
However, while the Ministry maintains that schools were prepared for reopening, posts appearing on the Opposition Team Mohamed’s Facebook page are highlighting a number of deficiencies on the first day of classes.
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At North West Secondary School, parents reportedly encountered classrooms without basic furniture, while some classrooms were said to be leaking. According to the post, one parent took his son back home rather than leave him at the school under those conditions.
The Opposition is calling for urgent intervention to provide furniture and address the reported leaks.
At Port Kaituma Secondary School, approximately 200 Grade 7 students are reportedly without a classroom and the furniture required for learning.
According to the opposition’s post, the students are being temporarily accommodated at the recreational ground at the Fitzburg ball field while work continues on a new building and furniture is made available.
The situation has raised questions about whether students should be starting secondary school without access to proper classrooms, desks and chairs.
At Santa Rosa Primary School, the Opposition also said that two Grade 3 classes, Grade 3E and Grade 3F, each with 22 students started the school term without essential classroom furniture.
The reported deficiencies include a lack of cupboards, book racks, a teacher’s chair and desks or tables for students.
Meanwhile, concerns about access to schools are also being raised at Mora Camp in Bartica, where residents have complained about the condition of the roadway leading to the community.
Residents reportedly had to navigate a muddy and slushy track on the first day of school, with critics questioning why basic road infrastructure has not been addressed despite repeated promises.
Parag said the Ministry had prepared schools for reopening while emphasizing that maintenance is an ongoing process.
“We are ensuring that we are working for the betterment of all of our children, as well as our teachers in the environment in which they are at at school,” she told reporters, while asking stakeholders for cooperation and patience.
The developments come as Guyana’s education system begins another academic year, with the Ministry having received a $183.6 billion allocation for education this year.
For parents, however, the central question remains whether reopening schools is enough or whether every child is returning to a classroom that is safe, functional, properly furnished and conducive to learning.
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