Dear Editor,
Since the latter part of 2012, one single fluorescent lamp has been the only source of lighting in the Mahdia School Dormitory compound. The dorm’s mother and father who reside within the compound would have noticed this situation and reported same to management. Education officials who visit the dormitory regularly would also have witnessed firsthand the need for lighting in the compound. The Mahdia Community Policing Group, on a routine patrol in the early part of 2013 witnessed this situation. A report was made by patrol members the next day to regional officials. Sometime after, the need for proper lighting within the dorm’s compound was discussed at length with the Regional Education Officer Ms. Marcia Paddy at the RDC’s statutory Regional Education Committee. Sometime after this, a special Mahdia Secondary School P.T.A meeting was held, and parents in general, upon hearing of the situation, queried the lack of lights within the dorms compound. The Regional Education Officer, Ms. Marcia Paddy, was present at this meeting and gave certain assurances.
Earlier this month at the RDC’s statutory Regional Works Committee, the Regional Works Supervisor/Overseer was reminded of the urgent need for perimeter lights in this compound. The Mahdia Dormitory is home to more than 60 students from various Amerindian villages in Region 8.
Assurances were given in all the above meetings that REO Harsawack would promptly address the deficiency in security lighting at the Mahdia Dormitory. A visit to the dorms on Thursday, Mar 21 revealed that not only has no work been done to replace the damaged bulbs in the compound, but sadly, even the single bulb has now blown leaving the entire compound in darkness. Children were observed carefully navigating their way through the darkness, while others resorted to using the lights on their cellphones to guide them from one building to another.
The dormitory gate was also observed to be in need of repair and bushes in the outer and inner perimeter require weeding. Efforts to reach the Regional Executive Officer Mr. Harsawack immediately for an explanation were futile as he is reported to be currently participating in the 11th Pakaraimas Safari and Rupununi Rodeo.
Editor, I am hopeful that soon, REO Harsawack can grant these children the necessary security measures needed for their protection, but just in case, I am making this issue public with the hope that someone in authority can be persuaded of the need to offer these children the same protection we offer ourselves.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address supplied)
