By: Jayda Jeune | HGPTV Nightly News
Serious health concerns have gripped the Beterverwagting (BV) Primary School following reports of a severe pigeon infestation that has left classrooms contaminated and several students falling ill.
The crisis, which affects both the mainstream and special needs departments, has sparked widespread outrage among parents, political representatives, and community activists, who are calling for urgent government intervention.
Distressed parents say the situation has deteriorated over the past few months, with pigeon droppings covering desks, walls, and benches daily, even after repeated cleaning efforts.
“They’re flying up around the children when they’re eating. It’s not healthy for children,”
— Parent of two BV Primary students
Some parents are now pleading for the temporary closure of the school until the issue is appropriately addressed.
“We are begging, we are pleading — please do something about it. This isn’t new; this has been going on for years,” another parent lamented.
The issue was first brought to national attention by Hanna Mohamed, sister of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Party Leader Azrudin Mohamed, who shared photos of the conditions on social media.
“The pigeon infestation has taken over the entire school. It is our duty to ensure that these are not the conditions our children must endure,” Mohamed stated, adding that the problem dates back to 2015, during the APNU administration, and urged current officials to treat it as a national priority.
Odessa Primus, General Secretary of the WIN Party, also visited the school, condemning what she described as the government’s neglect of public health and education standards.
“We boast about being the fastest-growing economy, but it seems we have no care or concern for our human resources — for our children,” Primus said.
In response, PPP representative Neville visited the site and offered a contrasting perspective, acknowledging that while the situation requires attention, measures are underway to address the problem.
“The Ministry of Education and the RDC Region Four will swiftly address this issue. The toilets are in working condition, the taps have running water — though with some iron content — but we’re working on it,” Neville assured.
Despite these assurances, teachers and residents say conditions remain unsafe, with students continuing to fall ill and classrooms still contaminated daily.
The BV Primary School controversy has reignited a national debate on public health, education infrastructure, and government accountability, as citizens demand stronger oversight of learning environments across Guyana.
While the Ministry of Education insists that remedial work is in progress, parents and advocates remain steadfast in their plea for urgent action to protect the nation’s children.
Advise the children not to feed the pigeons.
Too much of media nonsense.
All must work together but here in Guyana instead of unity there is division.
Guyanese please grow up.