Families of 20 killed in Guyana school dorm fire agree to $25,000 payout from Gov’t

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Guyana, July 26, 2023 – The Government of Guyana announced it is paying $25,000 to the 20 parents who lost their children, 20 in total, to the Mahdia dormitory fire that took place on May 21, 2023.  This is part of a settlement to avoid any further claims in the case.

The tragic fire killed 19 girls and a young boy, the son of a school administrator.

The monetary grant was announced on Monday July 17th, by Anil Nandlall, Attorney General and while he made the revelation, he highlighted that families requested the money to  “enhance their ability to continue to provide for their families” and that they all had signed agreements with the government.

Prior to the settlement, the State covered all burial and related expenses back in May and June.

The settlement is not however without criticism as the country’s main opposition party, A Partnership For National Unity, in a statement on Tuesday July 18th, expressed that the settlement was insufficient as the money falls below what is needed to build a house in the capital much less in the interior where the cost to transport materials is higher.

Amanza Walton, lawmaker and attorney for the opposition, criticized that the Government is trying to avoid obligations to follow recommendations by United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, or UNICEF, to address safety issues at state-run dorms, including by changing the practice of placing iron grills on widows and padlocks on doors; features which were reported to be on the building where the 20 children lost their lives.

Earlier reports informed that according to officials, one student deliberately set the fire and has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder.  However, the Government is preparing to appoint a Commission of Inquiry (a review of events ordered by a government body), into the tragedy in the weeks to come.  Retired army chief of staff Maj. Gen Joseph Singh has been appointed to lead the panel.  The other members have not yet been named.

Photo Caption:

A May 23, 2023 National Vigil being held at Umana Yana in support of the children who lost their lives and those injured in the Mahdia Fire, Guyana.