I must hasten to respond to Kissoon’s column piece “Madness at the Brickdam Police Station” in which he has regurgitated a previously made claim of Guyana being a failed state, by attempting to fit such a contention within two conceptualised arguments as debated by social scientists. Because of the time factor, I will respond to those views at another time, particularly since he has sought to fit Guyana into the latter of the views – the functioning of state organs. However, one must respond to his vitriol that the “school system has broken down” and that “school buildings are in worse conditions than countries in the throes of civil war.”Really, one ought not to dignify such gross untruths and scandalous lies, but because such can be made so barefacedly, a response must be given. If ever one did suspect that Kissoon is a very sick human, meaning chronically and mentally imbalanced, then these two statements certainly confirmed his state of mind. One must begin by asking this simple question – where have all the billions that have been allocated to the education sector each year, gone? The answer is plain, very clear too – in the construction, and rehabilitation of over 100 nursery, primary, and secondary schools, since 1992. Any Guyanese and visitors, even an alien, would not fail to notice the dozens of newly built schools that accommodate Guyana’s students in the three categories mentioned. There are even schools now built in areas where there were formerly none. And no more do Amerindian children have to walk miles to attend school, causing many to drop out, as was in the time of the PNC regime. Apart from schools conveniently built in hinterland locales, there are dorms to accommodate those students who may have to travel to distant locations. It need not be reminded of the primitive infrastructure of the nation’s social system, especially education, health, and water and housing facilities prior to the PPP/C government. This category can be extended to include roads and bridges. Certainly their condition then fits Kissoon’s “throes of civil war” description. But this would have been under the former PNC regime. It is well known that the largest budget allocation goes to the education sector, with $26.5B being the sum for 2012. It is because of this huge investment, that our students are not only accommodated in very comfortable, learning friendly environments, but are also performing much better at the CXC and CAPE examinations than in prior decades. Concomitant with this is the fact that Guyana’s education sector is experiencing a modern overhaul, with the vital aim of aligning same with the nation’s socio-economic needs. But one ought not to be too much bothered by Kissoon’s nasty, grudging utterances; for such must always be expected of a bitter human.