Op-ed: Mahdia Secondary School Fires – Government’s Shameless Response Highlights Incompetence

The recent horrific fire at the Mahdia secondary school dormitories has exposed a distressing truth about the government of Guyana. Instead of conducting a thorough investigation into the tragedy, the government has shamelessly deployed Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and her peers to allegedly deflect, obscure, and diminish the magnitude of this horrific incident. It is a blatant display of the government’s gross pettiness and incompetence.

The saying goes that “people get the government they deserve,” but even the supporters of the ruling party, who often vote blindly for this regime, do not deserve to suffer the consequences of such avarice, pettiness, incompetence, corruption, and pure evil. The government’s actions following the fire have been nothing short of an attempt to drown out the voices of justice with their shameless propaganda.

One only needs to observe the websites of the Department of Public Information (DPI), Chronicle, National Communications Network (NCN), and Ministry of Education (MOE) since the tragic events unfolded. These platforms have unleashed naked propaganda on the country–mostly in the form of Priya Manickchand hugging survivors and parents, all in an alleged futile attempt to divert attention from the need for a thorough investigation and accountability.

As if their propaganda wasn’t enough, the government organized a contrived vigil for the young victims last night. These students, fresh out of the hospital, were obviously traumatized and had not received any counseling support. Yet, Minister Manickchand and other female ministers allegedly took the opportunity to have their pictures taken while appearing to comfort the students who were visibly distraught and overwhelmed by the proceedings. An anonymous parliamentarian stated that, “It was a shameless display designed solely to show that the PPP government officials were “sad.””

“Woe unto the oppressors!” With the current PPP government in power, Guyana will go nowhere. The bad news just keeps coming, and the people continue to pay a hefty price for the corruption and mismanagement of this administration. While the nation reels in shock and demands justice, the government engages in propaganda instead of fulfilling its obligations – conducting a professional investigation and taking responsibility for its actions.

The Ministry of Education is in shambles, and it is clear that Minister Manickchand should step down. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely to happen, which means our children will continue to suffer under this regime’s neglect and incompetence.

The tragedy at Mahdia secondary school is not just an isolated incident but a stark reflection of the larger issues plaguing the country. The government’s response highlights its disregard for accountability and its desperate attempts to cling to power at the expense of the well-being and justice owed to the nation.

It is time for the people of Guyana to rise against this government’s incompetence, corruption, and shameless propaganda. We must demand the justice and accountability our nation deserves. Our children’s future depends on it.