Flea treatment forced Grade 6 students of Amelia’s Ward to be taught on classroom floor

Flea treatment forced Grade 6 students of Amelia’s Ward to be taught on classroom floor – Dept. of Education

Apr 25, 2026 News

(Kaieteur News) – Students of the Amelia’s Ward Primary School who are preparing to sit the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) on April 29 and 30 were being taught while seated on the floor in a classroom because the school was being treated for fleas.

This is according to the Department of Education in Region 10. The Department was forced to respond following a circulation of the photo of the students and teacher on social media.

Concerns over the learning conditions of Grade Six pupils also sparked a public exchange between members of the opposition and education officials.

Flea treatment forced Grade 6 students of Amelia’s Ward to be taught on classroom floor – Dept. of Education

Pupils seated on the floor in a classroom (Please blur)

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Terrence Campbell criticised the situation, calling it “totally unacceptable”. He said that students preparing for the high-stakes examination should not be forced to learn under poor conditions.

In a Facebook post, he urged the Ministry of Education to act immediately to address the issue.

However, education officials in Region 10 have rejected claims that the situation reflects a shortage of furniture or systemic problems within the school. In a statement, the Department of Education–Region 10 said the image was being misrepresented and described it as part of a “misleading narrative.”

Officials maintained that there is no furniture shortage at the Amelia’s Ward Primary School and that the students were temporarily seated on the floor to accommodate the treatment of fleas in the building.

The department said that the measure was planned and supervised, with efforts made to ensure students remained safe and engaged during the short-term disruption. Authorities also warned that the circulation of the image without context created unnecessary public concern and undermines confidence in the education system.

Regional Education Officer La Shanna Anderson reinforced that position in a video statement, asserting that none of the schools in Region 10 have furniture shortages. She accused political actors of using the situation to create a “false narrative”.

Schools in Guyana have periodically faced challenges related to infrastructure, sanitation, and environmental conditions, especially in hinterland and riverine communities. While the government has increased investment in education in recent years, including school construction and rehabilitation projects, issues such as maintenance and pest control continue to arise.

The Region 10 Department of Education said the flea treatment at Amelia’s Ward Primary was necessary to safeguard the health of students and staff, and that temporary adjustments were made to allow classes to continue during the process.

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Amelia’s Ward, classroom floor, False narrative, Flea treatment

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