Secondary school, dormitory for Karasabai by 2020
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DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, February 19, 2019
The APNU+AFC Government has assured the residents of Karasabai, South Pakaraima, Region 9 that a Secondary School and dormitory will be built in the village by 2020.
This commitment was made during a meeting on Sunday with Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock; Minister within the Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, SC.
During the interactive session, the residents spoke of the need for the school and dormitory to be constructed speedily. Youth leader, Marlon Edwards said it will ease the economic burden of parents with children living in far-flung areas.
Karasabai Primary School currently has a Secondary Department that accommodates 173 students from the village and neighbouring communities including Pai Pang, Tiger Pond, Taushida, Kakshibai, Yurong Paru, Tiperu and Rukumuta.
Headmistress, Michelle George explained that the students are being housed with guardians in the community. ‘Some guardians are hosting as much as five children and we also need help with clothing…there are times we would like to take them to church and they always say they have no clothes …and we also need some school supplies.”
In her response to the plea, Minister Garrido-Lowe said that construction of the school and dormitory will be high on the Government’s agenda for 2020.
“We want to continue the good work, to support the school children because I am certain that your government will consider building a dormitory to cater for the Karasabai district in 2020…in the meantime we have the whole year ahead …so we will assist the parents,” Minister Garrido-Lowe assured.
In the interim, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs will provide a monthly stipend to the 30 guardians currently hosting the 79 pupils. Uniforms have already been sent for distribution to the students
While thanking the guardians for supporting the students, Minister Garrido-Lowe assured, “… I can promise you, our scholarship department, will examine what monies we may have available … so that all 30 parents can be assisted with a stipend until we can cater for you in the 2020 budget.”
Minister Sydney Allicock also noted that the issue could have been prevented had the Village Council and Community Development Officer (CDO) been more proactive. He urged the Council and the CDO to collaborate with the Regional Administration to ensure these issues are brought to the fore in a timely manner.
Nevertheless, the Minister assured that their issues will be addressed at the earliest possible time.
Additionally, 2019 National Budget caters for the extension of the department, and for the first time this year, the students will be sitting their Caribbean Examinations Council (CSEC) examination.
Synieka Thorne.
Image: Marceano Narine.