Regional Educational Officer

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Despite pleas from outraged parents to Education officials concerning water problems at the Golden Grove Primary School, East Coast Demerara, the students and teachers are still experiencing difficulties in this regard, and as such, several members of the school’s Parent/ Teacher Association (PTA) and students mounted a protest yesterday morning.“No water, no school” was the chant by those gathered at the Market Street corner, located at Golden Grove Public Road.A group of concerned parents told Kaieteur News that it has been over six months since the school has been without the flow of water in the compound. They said that the PTA informed the Regional Administration, located at Triumph, ECD, that the water pump had gone bad, and a new pump should be installed, but to date the situation has remained the same. Other parents contended that they made complaints to the Regional Educational Officer, who then instructed that “double sessions” are to be kept, since there is no water at the school, hence the children would not be able to use the washrooms.Sunita Seecharan, the school’s cleaner, told this newspaper that her skin became infected, after she used “trench water” to clean the toilets. She is contending that it has been over five weeks since the school has been without water and she is afraid that her skin gets worse.When Kaieteur News arrived at the school, the Deputy Head teacher and other staff members were standing outside of the compound, because the school’s gate was locked. After awhile the gate was opened and the children and teachers entered the compound, but stood in the yard. A teacher told Kaieteur News that the Head teacher was on duty at the National Sports Competition.Checks in  the compound revealed that all of the doors were locked, including toilets and classrooms.The Deputy  Head Teacher then told Kaieteur News that she had received instructions from the Regional Education Office that she is not at liberty to speak with any media operatives. She added that this newspaper should meet with the Regional Education Officer to clarify any enquiries of the protest.Baydewan Rambarran, Regional Educational Officer (REO), Region # 4, told this newspaper that instructions came from the Ministry of Education for the double sessions to be held at the school. He said that he spoke with the PTA president from the school on Thursday, last, who informed him about the water shortage and the need for a pump.According to Rambarran, he informed the REO, that the school did not have water and there is a need for a new pump. He is contending that Regional Administration sent two technical assistants from the Ministry, who visited the school twice.He said that the technicians reported that the pump cannot be repaired and a new one would have to be installed. Rambarran noted that it is the responsibility of the Regional Executive Officer to facilitate the procurement of the pump.Rambarran is contending that the REO informed him yesterday, that he is still in the process of acquiring a pump.“The Department of Education is managed by the Regional Administration, which falls under the Ministry of Local Government; hence it is the responsibility of the Regional Administration to deal with these situations,” Rambarran explained.When Kaieteur News visited the Regional Administration Office, to speak with the officer, the reporter was told that he was in a meeting. Subsequently efforts were made to speak with the officer via telephone, but those proved futile.