Mabaruma, Guyana – (October 8, 2017) Education is a central part of the Government’s agenda and President David Granger said that the administration has a very clear mission to improve access, attendance and achievement for students across the country. The Head of State made these remarks today at a commissioning ceremony for a new David ‘G’ school bus under the Buses, Boats, Bicycles plus Breakfast and Books (Five B’s) programme in Barima-Waini (Region One). Also commissioned at that ceremony, which was held at the North West Secondary School, were two other 15-seater school buses, purchased by the Regional Administration to support the national ‘Every Child in School’ policy.
Speaking to students, parents, teachers and regional officials, President Granger said that when he took office he immediately elevated education as a key priority area for the long-term development of the country. “My first idea was that education was paramount for the children of Guyana. No more dropouts. We want to do three major things. One is to provide access, so that there are enough schools for you to get to within your respective regions. Second, we want to ensure that your attendance is as high as it could be. There is no reason for you to stay home simply because you don’t have transport and third is your achievement; that once you get to school, you do well. I like ‘A’ students,” he said.
President Granger told the students that Government will continue to invest in their education as it is a gateway for them to become equipped to create employment within their region and help to improve the economic prospects of the country. “You can have a fulfilling career as an entrepreneur, as a businessman, as a farmer, as an exporter and it is through education that you can open the doors to employment, to enterprise,” he said. The Head of State also called on the students and residents to work to protect and preserve the environment, which with the right investment can become a significant income earner if Region One is to become an eco-tourism destination.
Regional Chairman, Mr. Brentnol Ashley said that the buses will be used to ensure that children in far-flung communities are able to get to school. He added that the regional administration fully subscribes to the national policy of ensuring every child can get to school. “The Regional Democratic Council remains steadfast in its commitment to partnership and working in the best interest of all the people in the Barima-Waini Region,” he said.
Also present at the commissioning ceremony were Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Mr. Sydney Allicock, Minister of Communities, Mr. Ronald Bulkan and Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Noel Holder.
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