Penal Hindu school gutted by fire

A MERE two days before the opening of the new school term, Maha Sabha officials were busy last night trying to get temporary accommodations for 138 pupils of Penal Rock Road Hindu School, who would be displaced following a fire which gutted the school yesterday. Fire officials suspect the fire may have started through an electrical fault. The school was also a landmark in the area, having been built in 1957. Looking on at the ruins, school principal Betty Ramnarine said she and teachers left the school around 3 pm after ensuring the building was properly secured. “I was in the market when someone told me the school was on fire. When I got there it was already in flames,” she said.

Ramnarine said she felt very depressed because they had everything prepared for the new school term. “We painted the school and spent yesterday (Thursday) and today (Friday) ensuring that everything was in place. The school was looking so good,” she added. Maha Sabha president Thirbhawan Seegobin said villagers were able to salvage about ten computers and a few pieces of furniture, but the computers were water-soaked. Seegobin gave the assurance the Maha Sabha executive will find a temporary structure to house the children on Monday. “We have several options — there is a temple and several homes we could use,” he said. However, Seegobin said the parents wanted a temporary structure to be built on the school compound, and a meeting will be held today to decide what course of action would be taken.

PNM Councillor Diptee Ramnath also pledged assistance to ensure pupils have a school to go to on Monday. One parent, Raithraj Sookananan, said his daughter went to buy her uniform and books yesterday and would be very disappointed to learn her school had burnt down. “The children will be so sad because they were anxious to come back to school,” he added. Two past students of the school, Ramona Chamberlain and Devina Jassant, said they felt very sad and hoped the school would be rebuilt soon. MP for Siparia, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, visited the burnt out school yesterday and expressed dismay at what transpired, but promised that all would be done to ensure the students would be housed  at the start of the new term on Monday.