GEORGETOWN, Guyana —The Ministry of Education said it has launched a new initiative to tackle a persistent pigeon infestation that has affected several schools along the East Coast of Demerara.
Education Minister Sonia Parag said the government has contracted a specialist company to manage the problem, which has raised concerns about hygiene, air quality, and the safety of students.
During visits to some of the affected schools on Saturday — including Beterverwagting Primary — the minister said the works will include deep cleaning, pressure washing, and the installation of galvanized mesh to block the birds from entering classrooms and roofs. A special gel treatment will also be applied to deter them from roosting.
“This is not just about cleaning up; it’s about putting in place a long-term solution,” Minister Parag said. “We’re working to make sure our students and teachers are in an environment that’s safe and sanitary.”
The ministry has temporarily adjusted schedules at some schools while the works are ongoing. Grade Six students at Beterverwagting Primary will return to class on Monday, while others will continue learning from home through printed worksheets.
The problem has been especially pronounced in communities near Pigeon Island, where bird populations are high. Minister Parag said the infestation will take time to control but insisted that progress is being made.
“This is not going to be solved overnight, but it will be solved,” she said. “We are looking at both immediate action and a long-term approach that includes community involvement.”
The Education Ministry has also instructed that the upcoming Christmas break be used to conduct thorough cleaning exercises at all affected schools.
Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who accompanied the Minister said residents feeding pigeons near schools have made the problem worse.
“While people may think they’re being kind, feeding pigeons encourages them to breed and gather in large numbers,” explained Michel Swanston-Nurse, Head of the EPA’s Technical Services Department. “The result is an excess of droppings that pose sanitation and health risks.”
The EPA plans to work with the Guyana Wildlife Management and Conservation Commission to raise public awareness about the consequences of feeding pigeons and how to manage bird populations humanely.
Minister Parag also visited Annandale and Golden Grove Secondary Schools, where similar infestations have been reported. She said her ministry will continue to collaborate with regional authorities and school administrators to prevent future outbreaks.
“We want to deal with this issue comprehensively,” she said. “It’s not about blame; it’s about fixing a problem that affects our children’s learning environment.”
The Minister was joined on her visits by Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain, Deputy Chief Education Officer Tiffany Harvey, Regional Chairman Clemsford Belgrave, and other regional education officials.
(This report was produced with information provided by the Ministry of Education)