Teachers reject bicycle shed classrooms

JC Secondary School

Several teachers attached to the Johanna Cecelia Secondary School in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) have refused to teach the Grade 10 students of the school, stating that the area is not conducive for learning.

Children under the bicycle shed at JC Secondary School

Guyana Times was informed that the students were put under the bicycle shed by the school’s Headmaster Alex George, after they complained of the classroom being hot. The move under the shed was a temporary one to accommodate the children and to relieve their physical discomfort as a result of the heated classroom, but from all indications, the bicycle shed has become the classroom for the children.

This move by the Headmaster came in for much criticism from parents who have children attending the school. One parent said that she is not satisfied with the move to have the children placed in an area where rain falls, bicycles are parked and noise from the streets poses a distraction to their learning. Despite several complaints made to the Headmaster, the situation remains unchanged.

The children have also made their own complaints, stating that if the Headmaster sees it fit to put them under the shed, then they are of the view that the shed should be enclosed, hence making it into a classroom, and another area should be provided for the accommodation of the bicycles.

According to a teacher who wishes to remain anonymous, the children are left outside and although rain splashing on them in downpours, no intervention is being made.

That teacher said she had refused to teach the children, since it is unacceptable to have the children exposed to the rain as well as the noise distraction from the road. There is said to be two garbage drums filled right next to the ‘classroom’ as well.
Guyana Times was informed that the classroom the children occupied previously has now been given to the ancillary staff.

When teachers questioned the Headmaster about whether the children will return to their respective classrooms, given the fact that the rainy period is upon us, the Headmaster told staff members that taking back the classroom from the cleaners would mean him practicing double standards.

Many teachers are of the view that the shed which was allotted to the children to occupy is not conducive to learning, and is merely what it was initially build for – a bicycle shed. They are therefore calling on the Education Ministry, through the Department of Education to intervene into the matter.