Classes have resumed at St. Gabriel’s Primary following what has been described as productive talks between staff members and officials of the Ministry of Education.
Demands by the Parent-Teachers Association for tighter security measures during the day have been met and the Ministry is reportedly looking into other concerns raised by the staff members and the parenting body.
A security guard has since been posted at the Oronoque Street school and strict rules are being enforced as it regards visitors to the compound.
Persons entering the school are being screened and are now being asked to state their business at the gate before proceeding.
Stabroek News was informed that Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr. Desrey Fox spent in excess of three hours at the school yesterday in talks with staff members. According to reports, the Minister made several promises and has pledged to remain in touch with staff members.
Head of the Parent Teachers Association, Henry Rodney when contacted said he was pleased with the security guard being placed on the premises during the day. He said the children and staff appear calmer and some amount of normalcy has returned. However he said they hope the other concerns they have raised will be addressed with the same amount of urgency by the Ministry.
Last week a cutlass-wielding teenager stormed St. Gabriel’s in search of a male teacher after he was earlier asked to leave the compound by the teacher.
The teenager who allegedly injured a student during the upheaval is currently before the courts.
In the wake of the incident teachers and the PTA called for tighter security measures at the school.
They wrote the Ministry of Education but received no response for two days. A decision was then taken by the PTA for parents to keep their children home until the Ministry responded. Classes at the school were affected on Friday last.
