Students at four Saint Ephrem Catholic High Schools in Guadeloupe, including the St. Ephrem Secondary School in Croix-des-Bouquets, were celebrating the start of summer holidays when firebombs were thrown from the street above.
At least three fires were lit, forcing the closure of the school day at 3 p.m. on May 24. Parents and students who were forced to attend classes late had to pay ten times the normal fee of $57.
The government has decided to close the four schools for the rest of the school year because of the growing tension and blocked entrance roads, The Point newspaper reported.
Colette Loufran told The Point that “we were all shocked to learn that school had to be canceled.”
“But now, it’s not completely clear when classes will be re-opened, but all students are encouraged to attend their normal summer sporting events,” Loufran said.
The Point also said the government would give each parent $99, which can be paid by withdrawing the student’s bank account prior to the payment date.
Students should bear in mind that the funds do not have to be paid back.