Govt commits to investing in Fairview’s development
– Education a top priority
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, July 7, 2018
Students of the Fairview Primary School located in Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) have been assured of the Coalition Government’s continued investment in their education, as they strive to surpass the successes of their predecessors.
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, made the pledge during a visit to the area on Friday. He said through cooperation between the Toshaos’ Council and the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, the administration will be better positioned to bridge the educational gaps.
“The government is spending huge sums of money for that purpose so that your classrooms would be better equipped.…and the environment in which you have to learn will be better equipped,” the minister noted.
The Fairview Primary was relocated following complaints of disruption in learning caused by aircraft landing at the nearby airstrip. The new school building is equipped with the necessary facilities to enable maximum learning.
The State Minister told students that, “every single day that you spend in the classroom must be a day that is counted towards your total education. So, you would not want to have too many distractions.”
The comfort of both students and teachers, the minister said, is important to the government, hence the move to have the new building constructed. At the next sitting of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), Minister Harmon said he will be paying close attention to the results produced at the school.
He believes that once students in remote and hinterland locations are given the same amount of resources as those on the coast, they will be enabled to perform well at their examinations.
Under the leadership of Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, Minister Harmon said more resources will be pumped into the Fairview Primary and other schools in surrounding villages.
Fairview is the only indigenous community within Iwokrama’s boundaries and close to the Iwokrama Centre for Rainforest Conservation. He said he will advise the Centre to use any additional resources obtained to assist in the development of the community.
The State Minister, Minister Allicock and Head, Department of Environment, Ndibi Schwiers also took the opportunity to tour the new school.
By: Stacy Carmichael.
Images: Keno George.