Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand yesterday told residents of the island of Wakenaam that the deteriorating Arthur-ville Primary School building will be demolished and a new one built.
A release from the Ministry of Education said that Manickchand visited the Essequibo River island to speak to parents and address their concerns about the state of the building.
Due to the worsening condition of the school, the release said that it was decided in March of this year to move the children and teachers out of the school and have them accommodated at the Sans Souci Primary School.
She told the parents that the decision to move the children and teachers was necessary since it was determined that the building was unsafe to use. She said that a decision was made very quickly to have the children and staff moved to Sans Souci since it was the closest school with sufficient room.
“This school is going to continue but you have to give us time to build it. I can’t know what I know and keep children and teachers here because I won’t be able to live with myself if anything is to ever happen to them,” Manickchand told the parents.
She said that every effort is being made within the Ministry and at the regional level to see how quickly the school can be rebuilt. Manickchand said that the latest the island should expect the new school is 2023.
In the interim, the aim is to ensure the children and teachers are comfortable and that the learners can receive their education.
Before yesterday’s visit, one minibus was assigned to transport the children from Arthurville to Sans Souci but the decision was made to assign another bus so that children can get to school on time.
