Pre-Dawn Fire Destroys Kwakwani Secondary School, Region 10
By Jayda Jeune | HGP Nightly News.
A pre-dawn blaze on Sunday has devastated the Kwakwani Secondary School in Region 10, reducing its main one-story structure at Parkfield Fell to ashes. The fire, which began around 3:40 a.m., has disrupted the lives of hundreds of students who now face uncertainty about where their classes will continue.
Despite the widespread destruction, not all facilities were lost. The technical and industrial arts block, science laboratory, and economics department were untouched by the flames. A recently constructed building on the compound also survived and is expected to temporarily house students once cleared.
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, expressed regret over the tragedy but emphasized that the education of students must not be stalled:
“Whatever is the cause of that fire, it is regrettable. Children need to be served. A community needs to be served.”
Residents of the Upper Berbice River area, who consider the school a cornerstone of their community, have been deeply shaken by the loss. Meanwhile, police have launched a probe into the cause of the blaze.
The Ministry of Education has pledged to speedily rebuild Kwakwani Secondary School, with temporary arrangements to be finalized by the end of September 2025 to ensure classes resume with minimal disruption.
“Your pain, your suffering and your loss will be remedied swiftly,” the ministry assured parents, students, and the community.
