In a release, the ministry sought to assure parents and students that measures will be implemented to recover the instructional time lost. “This temporary closure is to facilitate additional cleaning, ongoing rehabilitative works, and the implementation of a permanent solution to address the pigeon infestation,” the ministry noted in its statement.

The ministry further reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring students and teachers are provided with a safe and supportive environment conducive to effective teaching and learning. Earlier last Thursday, furious parents lined the outskirts of the school, expressing frustration over the worsening pigeon infestation affecting the institution. After the issue of the infestation surfaced on social media last week, classes were suspended from October 16 for the regional administration to address the issue.

However, when school resumed this week, parents again expressed concern and disappointment over the condition of classrooms, noting that the remedial works done at the school were insufficient. Members of the media visited the school last Thursday morning, where they met some pupils and parents outside of a locked school compound. Expressing his disappointment to the media, president of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Alvin McCurdy said he locked the gates of the school in protest. “I’m president of the PTA board of Beterverwagting Primary School.  This morning, we have taken a decision to close the gates of the school because of the condition of the school. As much as work is being done at the school, it’s not sufficient. Also, the environment is not conducive for learning or teaching,” he explained.

The PTA president stated that teachers are frustrated and children are becoming sick every day.  Because of this, parents are afraid to send their children to school. “So, this morning, we decided that enough is enough. We’re going to close the school, and we’re asking the minister (Sonia Parag) to come in. We don’t want her to send anybody, we want her to come herself so that she can see the situation, make a better assessment of the situation,” he related. (Kaieteur News)