Region Nine’s education sector improved –President’s 5 Bs initiative impacts
Georgetown, GINA, July, 19 2016
The education sector in Region Nine is growing and continues to see improvement as the President’s 5Bs initiative in the hinterland continues with education being its top priority.
Students of this Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo Region are now attending school regularly, and punctuality has improved after they have benefitted from bicycles, boots and books among other items.
Marilyn Sears-Joseph, acting Regional Education Officer (REDO) of Region Nine said the initiative is beginning to impact the region positively.
Students receive bicycles in Region 9 as part of the President’s Five Bs initiative
“I have seen great improvement not only with the boots, the bicycles and the uniforms but also the hot meal programme. The hot meal programme that was introduced, at first we only had it at 28 primary schools, now we have it at all the primary schools. With the hot meal, the children are regular at school because they don’t have to go home in the midday. It’s a hot meal, as well as a snack for the nursery school children so attendance has increased a lot,” the REDO explained.
Additionally, the region’s education sector has benefitted from a number of other contributions which have also improved school attendance. The 1000 plus “shoes that grow” were donated to the Department of Education to distribute to children attending primary schools in the region.
Along with the footwear, the 5Bs programme has thus far provided bicycles, breakfast and books for students in the region. This had also improved the record of attendance at schools in the region.
Students of Moco Moco Primary School
The 5Bs initiative is just one aspect of President David Granger’s push to ensure every child attends school. It has resulted in members of the private sector and ordinary citizens partnering with Government to enhance education delivery by donating, boats and bicycles among other items.
Region Nine has a total of 83 public schools including 31 nursery, 48 primary and four secondary schools. The schools across the regions have an enrollment of 8, 026 students with an estimated 500 teachers.