Commission releases findings on deadly dormitory fire in Guyana

The report cited “human failure” amid “chaotic and fiery circumstances.”

Police have explained that grills were placed on windows to prevent some of the teenage girls from escaping at night and on weekends to socialize with miners who flash gold, diamonds and cash in attempts to groom girls for sexual favours. The commission contended that such culture needs to change given that the acts occur “with the tacit support of family members who benefit financially from such arrangements.”

President Ali echoed calls for a culture change among students and adults, noting that education officials and other authorities face “tremendous difficulties in the behavioural pattern and changes in many schools, and we now have to work and see how we incorporate a higher degree of discipline through a systemic intervention.”

Guyana’s government builds dormitory schools to house students from rural communities while their parents carry out daily chores such as hunting and farming. Months after the fire, government officials said they would pay $ 25 000 to the parents of each of the children who died in the fire as part of a settlement. (AP)