Latest update February 6th, 2025 7:27 AM
East Bank Essequibo accident…Measures in place for injured children to complete NGSA
Even as their full recovery is being anticipated, the Ministry of Education has already put measures in place for three children who sustained injuries during a two-vehicle collision on the East Bank of Essequibo, to complete the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).
The accident, which occurred at Orangestein, East Bank Essequibo, on April 17, last, claimed the life of 53-year-old farmer and bus driver, Balraj of Parika Backdam.
The two vehicles that collided
At the time Balraj was the driver of minibus PDD 6784 which contained passengers Rajesh Ganesh, 42, and his 11-year-old son, Satyanand Ganesh, along with Asheanna Dudnauth and Pooja Singh, both 11 years old.
All three of the children were on their way to participate in the second day of the NGSA at the Academy of Excellence at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara. They, along with the other injured, were attended to at the Leonora Diagnostic Centre before being transferred to hospitals in the city.
While the younger Ganesh, who sustained injuries to his head, was discharged the same day of the accident, he was not permitted to complete the assessment. His classmates, Dudnauth and Singh remained hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), both with injuries to their legs and other parts of their bodies.
Dudnauth, this publication understands, was discharged yesterday and it is expected that Singh will soon be home as well. Singh was not sent home yesterday because of a high temperature, according to reports.
According to a relative of one of the young girls, an official from the Ministry who visited the children on the day of the accident had assured that measures would be put in place for them to complete the NGSA when they recovered.
It is expected that the children will be able to complete the assessment in time to be graded and placed at secondary level schools, along with the other children of the country who participated.
More than 15,000 children participated in the NGSA which was conducted over the period April 16 and 17.
Superintendent of Examinations, Saudia Kadir, in an invited comment to this publication asserted that the primary focus, at the moment, should be on the children’s recovery. She however, affirmed that measures are in place to ensure that the children complete the assessment when the time is right.
The unfortunate collision which hindered the children’s participation occurred when the minibus driven by Balraj collided with motor canter GKK 9974 which was being driven by 72-year-old Abdul Jahur. Jahur, who was heading to Parika, was in the company of his wife, 53-year-old Fareeda Jahur and an employee, Nadira Persaud.
Although Persaud was discharged from hospital last week nursing a broken right foot, the Jahurs up to yesterday were still hospitalised. According to a relative of the couple, “it seems like they have serious internal injuries.” Aside from initial treatment at the Leonora health facility, the couple was treated at the Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital, the GPHC and currently the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.
There have been several conflicting reports as to what caused the accident, but according to Rajesh Ganesh and at least two of the children involved in the accident, the canter, in an attempt to overtake a car slammed head-on into the bus causing the deadly collision.
No official statement has been issued by the Guyana Police Force regarding the accident.
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