Pres. Granger announces National Decade of Development
— to thrust education in African Communities
— “Petroleum is not to enrich a few; it is to educate the many”
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, August 1, 2019
His Excellency, President David Granger today declared a National Decade of Development, which he said will see an increased thrust into the education sector of Guyana.
The initiative is in keeping with the International Decade of People of African Descent (IDPAD) – a decade of reflection designated by the United Nations (UN) which acknowledges the plight of Africans who were victims of the “greatest crime against humanity.”
The Head of State was addressing a massive crowd of celebrants at the Number 53 Union Village, Corentyne, Berbice, on the 181st anniversary of Emancipation.
Beginning next year until 2029, the National Decade of Development for Guyanese will increase emphasis on public education.
President Granger said the state of Africans, especially in the western hemisphere, did not escape the notice of the United Nations, hence the launch of the International Decade of People of African Descent in 2014.
According to the Guyanese leader, one of the aims of the IDPAD is for quality education be made accessible in areas where persons of African descent live, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities.
“Education is what opened the door to all Guyanese to become the best that they can be. With the professional development in public education, academia, public administration and public health, African Guyanese who took hold of education were able to contribute more and more to the development of this country,” the Head of State told the massive crowd.
President Granger said his government is committed to safeguarding the legacy of Africans, particularly to ensure that the objectives of the International Decades of People of African Descent are met.
“Every citizen, every Guyanese has a right to education. This is a basic entitlement of all of us. Free education is an entitlement mandated by our Constitution which states that ‘every citizen has the right to free education’ from nursery to university.”
He said the expected proceeds of the petrotroleum revenues will see the restoration of free education in accordance with the Constitution.
“Petroleum is not to enrich a few; it is to educate the many. Let that be understood that those resources belong to future generations and future generations will profit from being educated,” he said to loud applause.
In that vein, the Head of State reiterated that every village must have at least one primary school, as every child must be able to attend school.
“We are not making fun with education… there is no better way to spend our petroleum resources than to ensure that Guyana becomes a nation of educated people. Guyana must become the best-educated country in the English speaking Caribbean” the Head of State challenged.
Meanwhile, President Granger was also officially inducted as the patron of the Emancipation festival in Guyana. The Head of State was credited for restoring pride to the African community especially over the last few years.
The rich cultural festival today was organised by the Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport, and the Berbice Association of African Groups. Present at the event was Prime Minister, Hon. Moses Nagamootoo, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon. Basil Williams, SC, Minister of Social Protection, Hon. Amna Ally, Minister of Social Cohesion, Hon. Dr. George Norton and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Dr. Karen Cummings.