Officials from the Ministry of Education’s Student Support Services Division (SSSD) are expected to visit the family of Zaya Morris tomorrow.
The eight-year-old Standard Two pupil of St Brigid’s RC Primary School died alongside her mother Kemba Morris, 42, in a fire at their Siparia home on Sunday.
Acting Education Minister Lisa Morris-Julian confirmed to Guardian Media yesterday that the SSSD had contacted Morris’ aunt and had counsellors on standby to offer support to the child’s family.
“We are very much aware the family is in crisis mode,” Morris-Julian said.
Expressing condolences to the family for what she described as a “very sad incident,” Morris-Julian said counselling would also be extended to the school, including Morris’ classmates and teachers, as they would all have been affected by the tragedy.
She said despite the fact that the fire occurred on the weekend and schools are currently on vacation, the SSSD was mobilised and ready to render any form of assistance necessary.
“From the time something happens, the SSSD goes into action. It doesn’t matter that it is holidays right now,” she indicated.
Morris-Julian added, “As a mother, you immediately think of your own children and how you can protect them. I can only imagine the grief and pain the family is going through. I hope everyone comes together to give them the support they need right now.”
She assured the ministry will do its part.
According to reports, Morris’ mother raised an alarm just after 5 am on Sunday, alerting the home’s other occupants when she became aware of the fire.
However, while Morris’ sister Dana Phillip, 36, along with Zaya’s elder siblings, aged 21 and 16, managed to escape the blaze, she and Zaya became trapped in the five-bedroom house. Their burnt bodies were found crouched just inside the back door of their home by fire officers, who have been criticised for their slow response to the blaze.
