Teachers and staff of Christ Church Secondary School meets with Education Minister

The Education Ministry is committed to ensuring the students, teachers and ancillary staff of the Christ Church Secondary School are adequately accommodated in the shortest possible time following last evening’s devastating fire.

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand and Senior Officers of the Education Ministry met with the teachers and ancillary staff of the secondary institution to discuss the way forward on Friday. The meeting was held in the boardroom at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

It was noted that the officers present included the Chief Education Officer, Mr Saddam Hussain, Deputy Chief Education Officer – Administration, Ms Fazia Baksh, Deputy Chief Education Officer – Development, Ms Volika Jaikishun, Assistant Chief Education Officer – Secondary, Ms Tiffany Harvey, Principal Education Officer, Mr Emmanuel Bridgewater, Director of the School Boards Secretariat, Mr Deonarine Hardat and other Education Officers.

Minister Manickchand said that the List A school has performed well over the years and commended the teachers for their dedication to raising the standard of the school. She further noted that the decisions taken will have to be guided by what is in the best interest in the students enrolled.

The Education Minister stressed that the ideal preference would be to house all the students in one location.

During the meeting, various options were explored for the placement of students and teachers however, there were no definite decisions made by the end of the meeting. Minister Manickchand also said that the Ministry will have to meet with the parents and students to discuss the matter further. It was noted that the school’s enrollment records, which were saved as softcopies, will guide the process forward.

It was noted that the teachers were asked to engage their students online until a decision can be made.

Also present at the meeting was the Guyana Teachers’ Union President, Mr Mark Lyte. Last evening, the Christ Church Secondary School became engulfed in flames.