Classes at St. Mary’s High were disrupted yesterday after students and teachers refused to work without running water, which had stopped flowing since last week.
The problem was communicated to the Ministry of Education but when classes resumed on Monday, the situation was the same. Unsanitary washrooms and unclean sinks were among the complaints made.
Stabroek News was told that when staff enquired earlier in the week, an education ministry official urged them to ‘bear up’ and to see how best they could utilize the facilities of neighbouring schools and offices in the Brickdam area.
Though the teaching body was on hand to conduct lessons yesterday the majority of students stayed away. The few who turned out did some work privately before leaving earlier than usual.
When contacted on the issue, a senior education official who refused to give her name said the problem was not ministry-related. The official said the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) had some problems in the area and as a result the school was affected. She added that the ministry had notified GWI of the problem and the company had promised to address the situation.
