Caribbean News
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.
MONTEGO BAY, May 2 (JIS):
More than 120 newly trained teachers, specialising in subject areas such as English and Mathematics at the primary and secondary levels, are set to enter the education system in September.
The recent graduates of the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College in Montego Bay were presented with Bachelors of Education (B.Ed), associate and advanced degrees for successfully completing their programmes of study, during a valedictory ceremony on April 25 at Calvary Baptist Church in St. James.
The 2024 graduating class included 46 students who specialised in primary education, 17 who completed their four-year course of study in early-childhood education, nine in special education, and nine in school counselling.
At the secondary level, three teachers specialised in biology and mathematics, six in English Language and Literature and three in modern languages.
There were 16 graduates with advanced degrees in primary education, 11 in early childhood and three with associate degrees in collaboration with the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.
President of the Jamaica Methodist District, Bishop Christine Gooden-Benguche, who delivered the keynote address, charged the graduating class, as they enter the school system, to “see each day as an opportunity to live life with quality while igniting minds”.
She urged them to learn from their successes and failures, see possibilities through new engagements and innovations, and to build healthy partnerships and relationships.
“Keep your minds stimulated with new thinking and seek divine guidance,” she added.
Principal of Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, Ricardo Bennett, said that the institution continues to grow, innovate and redefine itself as a multifaceted and multidimensional learning environment under a new strategic plan spanning 2023-2028, entitled ‘From Decisions to Action’.
Over 120 Trained Teachers Graduate…2
The plan, he noted, is supported by six pillars of development – agile positioning and partnership, curriculum and instruction, total quality management, institutional capacity, operational efficiency, and entrepreneurship and research and innovation.
The teachers’ college is also exploring international partnerships to offer master’s and doctoral programmes.
Valedictorians for the Class of 2024 are Chantalle Smith and Debbie-Ann Allen-Christie, who are graduates in primary and early-childhood education, respectively.
CONTACT: SHARON EARLE
JIS REGIONAL OFFICE
MONTEGO BAY
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