The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition has welcomed Education Minister Sonia Parag’s assurance that J.E. Burnham Primary School in Kitty will not be closed, but is demanding written confirmation that the institution will continue operating as a primary school amid proposed changes to the school compound.
In a statement issued Tuesday, APNU said parents, teachers and pupils needed more than a verbal commitment, calling on the Ministry of Education to publish its development plans, including projected costs, the construction timeline and arrangements for accommodating pupils and teachers during the works.
Parag reportedly gave the assurance during an appearance on Kiskadee Watch on October 19, stating:
“There is no closure.”
The assurance follows concerns over proposals involving the school compound, including the development of a nursery facility and a separate secondary-school block. Consultations on the proposals are reportedly ongoing.
In a statement reported by Village Voice News on October 10, the coalition demanded consultation with parents, students, teachers and the Kitty community, as well as public disclosure of the reasons for the proposed closure. The APNU also questioned whether the move formed part of a broader pattern affecting educational institutions associated with former President Forbes Burnham, although political motivation for the proposed closure has not been established
APNU wants written confirmation that the primary school will remain operational, alongside details on how the proposed developments would affect teaching, learning and the safety of pupils and staff.
The coalition has also called for meaningful consultation with parents, teachers and other stakeholders, and for the school’s name and identity to be preserved throughout any redevelopment.
APNU said families had already spent money on uniforms, books and other school supplies, making uncertainty over the institution’s future a concern for the school community.
The coalition has presented the minister’s assurance as a response to its advocacy on the issue, but says the ministry must provide concrete details about the proposed works before concerns can be fully addressed.
While Parag’s statement addresses the question of closure, details of the development plans, projected costs, construction schedule and arrangements for pupils and staff were not included in the information available for this report.
APNU maintains that any redevelopment should protect the continued operation of J.E. Burnham Primary and ensure the school community is consulted before changes are implemented.
