Govt. denies negligence in Mahdia dorm fire

(Kaieteur News) – As the nation marked the first day of Amerindian Heritage Month, the Government of Guyana on Tuesday approached the High Court denying all claims of negligence, constitutional violations, and statutory breaches surrounding the May 2023, Mahdia Secondary School dormitory fire which claimed the lives of 20 children.

The legal response, dated 31st August, 2026, directly aims to counter grievances voiced by affected Indigenous families in Region 8 who reported feeling silenced, uncompensated, and neglected in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The legal proceedings brought under action by administrators ad litem representing the estates of the deceased students, seek formal damages and constitutional remedies against the state. In its submission filed by the attorney general’s legal team, the state maintains that it observed all relevant duties of care, fulfilled its emergency obligations, and provided extensive post-disaster financial and logistical support.