Teachers at Graham’s Hall Primary School are calling for immediate action from the Ministry of Education to deal with a persistent water shortage, deteriorating infrastructure and inadequate emergency preparedness.
A source told Stabroek News on Tuesday, that the lack of proper water supply has been a prevailing issue at the school for months, causing widespread concern among educators, parents, and students. The inadequate water supply hinders the school’s ability to provide essential amenities, impacting both teaching and learning.
Teachers are said to be at their wits’ end with the state of the washrooms that students and teachers are expected to use. It was noted that due to the lack of water, teachers are forced to fill buckets of water every time they have to use the washroom. This also puts strain on the school cleaners.
But the challenges facing the school extend beyond water supply issues. The school’s infrastructure is said to be deteriorating rapidly. Teachers report missing bolts, and door handles, exacerbating the already compromised sanitation situation.
A senior teacher, who has requested anonymity expressed her exasperation thus, “Our students deserve a conducive and safe learning environment. It’s disheartening to witness the deplorable state of our infrastructure, from crumbling washrooms to missing essentials. It’s a crisis that cannot be ignored.”
Another teacher emphasised the need for immediate action. “This situation is on and off and is not only flawed but also unacceptable. We need swift intervention to ensure that our students have access to a safe and sanitary environment for their education,” she said.
Emergency preparedness is another aspect of concern for teachers and parents alike. It has been reported that the school lacks the necessary infrastructure and resources to respond effectively to potential emergencies, including fires or health crises. This has raised significant worries about the school’s ability to safeguard the health and well-being of its students and staff.
Parents have joined educators in demanding immediate intervention. “I am deeply concerned about the well-being and education of our children. This is a crisis going on since 2021. The only part I does see water coming is the pipe in front. We need the Ministry of Education to step in decisively and provide better water systems for these children,” said Mrs Rodrigues, a parent.
Stabroek News reached out to Guyana Teachers’ Union President Mark Lyte, who said that this issue was raised by the union last year September and was addressed by the ministry. He said the union was not aware of a new occurrence of water shortage at the school.
However, he noted that the causality between overcrowding and inadequate facilities was significant. Currently, the school is said to be overcrowded, which affects the learning environment and the well-being of both students and educators. With more students than the facilities can comfortably accommodate, classrooms are becoming increasingly congested, and there is a shortage of resources to support effective teaching and learning.
This publication reached out to the Ministry of Education on Tuesday last, but there has been no response.
