Around 1,000 learners affected by Mae’s fire

Around 1,000 children have been affected by today’s fire at the Mae’s School and the Ministry of Education has pledged help to ensure that learning can continue at public schools.

A statement from the Ministry of Education follows:

March 5, 2025 – The Honourable Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, this morning visited Mae’s School in Subryanville, which was tragically destroyed by fire on Wednesday morning. Preliminary reports indicated that the fire started just before 8:00 AM. By the time an alarm was raised, the fire was already spreading swiftly.

Mae’s School, which housed approximately 1,000 students across the Nursery, Primary and Secondary levels, was swiftly evacuated. Most students had not yet arrived for the school day, and those who were already on the premises were quickly escorted to safety. The Guyana Fire Service responded promptly to the scene and worked diligently to contain the blaze.

During her visit, Minister Manickchand expressed her deep concern for the affected students, teachers, and families. She pledged the full support of the Ministry of Education and Government of Guyana to ensure that the students of Mae’s School will be accommodated at public schools to continue their education seamlessly, especially Grade 6 and 11 students who will be sitting the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

The Minister was accompanied by a team of senior officials from the Ministry’s Examinations Division and School Support Services, underscoring the Government’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare and education of the displaced students.

Minister Manickchand was also joined by the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, and the Honourable Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, who also offered their ministries’ support during this difficult time.

The Government of Guyana remains committed to providing the necessary assistance to Mae’s School, including ensuring that students are accommodated at nearby schools and that all required resources are made available to support their continued learning.

The Ministry of Education will continue to engage with the school’s administration, parents, and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition for the affected students and to provide ongoing support as needed.