Education is a right not a privilege- Minister Allicock

Georgetown, GINA, June 16, 2016

Last evening, the Hinterland Scholarship Programme saw its largest batch of students graduating at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

A total of eighty- five students from Regions One, Two, Four, Six, Nine and Ten graduated from secondary schools on the coastland while two graduated from technical institutes.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs and 4^th Vice President, Sydney Allicock, delivering the feature address, noted that he is happy that the students had the opportunity to strengthen their foundation in education.  “Education is not a privilege, it is a right. The enjoyment that helps in big way to prepare you for the role you must play in nation building,” he told the students.

The Minister pointed out that not every student will perform on the same level, but highlighted that it is their individual efforts to the cause of development that matters. “You are now responsible for doing your part in determining the destiny of our country,” he said.

Noting that the graduands will choose different paths as they leave high school, Allicock advised that they be, “ever committed to the cause of lifting the quality of life of our hinterland people and of all Guyanese.”

The Minister urged the students that on their journey ahead they must not forget where they came from. “Know and value your identity, resist the lure of abandoning your heritage, yours is as rich and as important as any other in the world… get close to your culture and customs,” Minister Allicock urged.

The Hinterland Scholarship Programme has been the birthplace of many highly trained professionals. The minister is hoping that the batch of graduate students will have their accomplishments added to the list of success stories.

The Hinterland Scholarship Programme, formerly known as the Amerindian Scholarship Programme was introduced in 1962. The name was changed to cater for the children of mixed parentage or non-Amerindians living and working in the hinterland.

The Hinterland Scholarship Programme provides academic opportunities at both the secondary and tertiary levels, and promotes the integration of hinterland students into the wider Guyanese society. It also affords them the opportunity to benefit from quality secondary and technical education, not accessible in their communities. This programme is supported by the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and provides students with a monthly stipend, school necessities, accommodation and meals.