Temporary Penal school opens

PRAYERS of thanksgiving were offered yesterday to open the temporary structure to house students on the site of the burnt-out Penal Rock Road Hindu School. During a short ceremony, two South-based companies donated $20,000 towards the rebuilding of the permanent school. After the school was gutted two weeks ago, a mere three days before the start of the new school term, executives of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) including general secretary Sat Maharaj and president Thirbhawan Seegobin, vowed to have a temporary structure built within a week to ensure the education of the 138 students on the school’s roll.

The building, which was completed within the stipulated week, was opened with blessing from a Hindu pundit, and several students made ceremonial fferings to Hindu deities. Apart from the 138 students, seven teachers will occupy the temporary structure. Unique Books and Sports Centre director Maureen Doodnath and a representative from Mohammed’s Book-stores were on hand yesterday during the opening ceremony to donate cheques each valued $10,000 to the rebuilding of the permanent school structure. According to principal Betty Ramnarine, the temporary structure would accommodate six classes while the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) students would be housed at another building, which would also house the principal’s office.

Ramnarine said air-conditioning units were expected to be installed in the building sometime yesterday, and classes would resume during the week. Ramnarine was high in praise for the Education Ministry’s quick response in supplying furniture for both teachers and students. However, she said the school was also in need of cupboards, filing cabinets and blackboards. Ramnarine also thanked the two businesses who came forward with donations towards the rebuilding of the school. Also attending yesterday’s formal opening ceremony were SDMS president Thirbhawan Seegobin, school supervisors Mala Dhannie and Robert Gopaul, and Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Three days before the start of the new school term, a fire of unknown origin swept through the school completely destroying the main classroom building.