Mae’s School is now required to provide supporting documents—either approved or in the process of being approved—in order to continue its occupancy at Farnum Ground, Subryanville, where it currently accommodates more than 2,000 students.
The issue, which is being addressed through the Georgetown Mayor and City Council’s office, continued this week. Mayor Alfred Mentore expressed support for the school’s efforts to provide students with a comfortable environment, as the institution is yet to be rebuilt after being destroyed by fire in March 2025.
During a meeting on Monday, attorney Elizabeth Dean-Hughes, representing residents of the area, said the residents would prefer that the ongoing construction be halted.
However, attorney Manoj Narayan, who appeared on behalf of the school’s owner, David Sugrim, explained that an application for approval to continue the work had already been submitted. He further assured that the current construction does not breach the initial agreement.
The school was initially granted approval by the Mayor to use the ground for one year while rebuilding its permanent structure [the original building]. However, no permission was given for the construction of permanent buildings, and the ground is to be returned to its original state once the school vacates.
“The current structure that Mr. Sugrim is building has no permanent fixtures, fittings, or erections. No piles are being driven into the ground. What Mr. Sugrim has done is lay concrete piles on the surface, upon which prefab temporary structures are being built,” Narayan explained.
Dean-Hughes has since requested to see a copy of the school’s registration, documents proving ownership, and the application to erect the prefab structure.
Meanwhile, Mayor Mentore suggested that a possible way forward could be to introduce a security deposit or fee as part of the arrangement, with the funds later channelled into a community project.
As discussions continue, a draft agreement will be prepared this week, allowing the school to remain on the ground until December 2026. This draft will also outline the completion of the temporary structures and will be presented to residents for review and objections.
“We are trying to accommodate the timeline for the school’s completion and to finalise an agreement. By Wednesday, a draft will be provided so that the community can indicate whether it has any objections,” Mentore said.
The school opted to construct prefab classrooms as a solution to the inclement weather, which frequently disrupted lessons when they were being held under tents.
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