Edu. Min. exploring options to lodge North Ruimveldt CSEC Students

The Ministry of Education is exploring ways to accommodate students of the North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary School who are set to commence writing their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination.

The teaching block which previously housed the students was severely damaged by fire at the weekend leaving them displaced.

On Monday, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand met with parents and students at the East Ruimveldt Secondary School to discuss the venues which can be used for the examinations since the dates cannot be shifted as was done for the Foreign Languages Oral test scheduled for today.

Four options are being considered.

According to a statement from the Ministry, majority of parents agreed that they prefer the students to write their examinations at the same venue and not to be split up at different locations. Secondly, it was decided that if students have to be transported to another location, the Ministry of Education and the Government of Guyana will absorb the full cost and any other associated cost.

Thirdly, it was agreed that it is the preference of those present, that the examination should be written in the school’s auditorium which was not damaged by the fire. Minister Manickchand has indicated that this could be facilitated once all clearance is given from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), the Guyana Power Light Inc. (GPL) and the Chief Electrical Engineer to ensure safety and no need for disruptions. The GFS and GPL will be given until Wednesday to determine if the auditorium can be ready for use.

Fourthly, it was agreed that if the examinations cannot be written in the auditorium, then it is preferred that the examinations be written at a location that is not another school, such as the Cyril Potter College of Education, the Police Officers Mess or the University of Guyana.

The Education Minister, the release said, assured the students that their emotions regarding the tragedy are not misplaced. She encouraged them that when they are writing their examinations to try their best to focus on all that they learnt and how brilliantly they will apply that to their paper to let their performance be the proof of their resilience.

She added, “If there is something that drives you even further in this period it must be that the students who wrote their CSEC the week after their school burnt down performed excellently. That must be what drives you.”

Minister Manickchand also pledged the Ministry’s support to provide any psychosocial support that might be needed by teachers and students of the school. As such, a contact number was provided to call if they need guidance and counselling.