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For this is incompetence. Incompetence beyond shocking. Incompetence beyond astounding. Incompetence that has now delivered twenty more deaths. More deaths, inflicting more grief. More grief, exacting more questions. How much more are we to endure? How many more years must we pain? How many more need to die? For more deaths we have registered. The twenty of which we now mourn. The twenty that collectively bleed our hearts. Bleed our hearts, even as we sorrow over the thousands, who were handed uncertain futures, having been 2yrs educationally denied.
UNICEF
For their arrogant incompetence was never a classified secret. Never a classified secret, since after 26 years, its ugly head was recognisable. Recognisable in the Covid pandemic. Recognisable when UNICEF rightly recommended, schools should be first reopened. First reopened, for the underpinning reason: The longer our children were out of school, the greater the likelihood of ramifications. Ramifications affecting mental health and academic achievements.
But PPP careless. Careless as they reopened businesses post-haste. Careless, as they blatantly overlooked schools. Detrimentally overlooking schools, for over 2yrs. Detrimental to our children’s mental health and academic achievement. Detrimental evident in the emotional dysregulation, we now observe. Observe, even as our children are languishing, 2yrs behind on their academic achievements.
Thus, in this context, one would’ve thought, PPP having made catastrophic Covid mistakes, would’ve now been cautiously proactive, with our children. But such thinking was certainly fantastical. Fantastical as exposed by a 2022 UNICEF review, illuminated by the Stabroek News. For this review examined multiple end-points, including dormitories fire safety. Where, in the context of fire safety, many concerning deficiencies were identified, with recommendations outlined on:
- The urgency of fire and smoke alarms installation.
- Fire extinguishers installation and use.
- Fire drills regularity and content.
- Fire exits locations, demarcation, identification and illumination.
- Fire safety informing building construction
However, PPP once again demonstrated negligent disregard, as they incompetently failed to appreciate the magnitude and urgency of the catastrophe that awaits.
Mark’s Take
Thus, with the catastrophe a painful reality, they accelerated into blame shifting and propaganda mode. Which means, within one week of the foreseeable catastrophe, they were marching a 15 years old up the court steps, charged with 19 murders. Then to compound this shameless exercise in responsibility shifting, they engaged in a worse form of politicking, as they dined survivors and grieving relatives. Where, from their actions, unambiguous was the message—Child charged. Survivors fed. A line drawn in the sand. COI aborted. But now having been made privy to this UNICEF review, compliments of Stabroek News, the recognition is, PPP propaganda line was premature. For contrary to their desperate attempts at blame shifting, this review painted a painful picture of their criminal incompetence.
Criminal incompetence, illustrated by these facts—Priya Manickchand and in extension PPP, were aware of this UNICEF report. Furthermore, Priya Manickchand and in extension PPP, were aware that within the past two years, four schools were reduced to ashes. As a result, with this knowledge, it’s nothing short of criminal that these UNICEF fire safety recommendations weren’t implemented. But this I must repeat; As a result, with this knowledge, it’s nothing short of criminal that these UNICEF fire safety recommendations weren’t implemented. Now as a direct consequence of their inaction, we have the excruciating deaths of twenty beautiful children.
Notwithstanding, having repeatedly dropped the ball, the cluelessly incompetent Priya Manickchand argues, report was shifted to another party, thus her oversight has ended. However, this truism we share; In responsible leadership, shifting a report, doesn’t shift responsibility. For it was the responsibility of Priya Manickchand, to follow through with these critical recommendations, ensuring they were implemented.
That said, concur we will, Priya Manickchand and in extension PPP, weren’t responsible for the physical installation of every fire safety device, in every dormitory and school. However, this was their responsibility; to ensure that these devices were installed—Oversight. But that they failed, with twenty deaths. Four with life changing burns. One clinging to life in critical care. Thirty-seven with mental scars, from their near death experiences.
Thus, this the Priya Manickchand’s abysmal report card;
- Hundreds of thousands of our children, from protracted school closures, were 2yrs education denied. Not consistent with UNICEF recommendations—FAILURE.
- Twenty children dead, four with live changing burns, one clinging to life in intensive care, even as 37 are burdened with mental scars from their near death experiences. No implementation of UNICEF recommendations—FAILURE
Which means, Priya having been an abysmal failure, must simply go.