Significant improvement of hinterland students at NGSA – Min. Norton

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, July 17, 2018

The performance of the hinterland students at the NGSA examination was commended by the Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton. The minister noted that there has been a significant improvement in NGSA passes in the hinterland.

Speaking at a recent forum, Minister Norton said previously, hinterland students were assessed differently from coastland students before they could secure placement at the top schools. “I remember in order for persons from the hinterland to get into Queens College or the Bishop’s High School, it was done only through a scholarship.” Today, Minister Norton said, hinterland students are securing places at top schools independently, without scholarships.

According to the Social Cohesion Minister, for the first time in history, hinterland communities have seen a 60 percent pass at NGSA. In English seven percent of hinterland students passed, in Science twenty percent passed as opposed to four percent in 2009. In Social Studies twenty-four percent passed, this reflects a seventeen percent increase from 2009.

Minister Norton boasted that, in the not too distant future, hinterland students will take their place in the education sector and hopefully become the top student.

“When we look at the data we must aim for the skies. When I was in Mabaruma, Region One, we had students there getting places at Bishops. The same for Region Two, someone from the Tapakuma Village secured a place at Bishops and in Region Seven someone got a place at St Roses High School. So, we are doing well in our own way,” Minister Norton underscored.

The Social Cohesion Minister said he is optimistic that the numbers will continue to increase as more hinterland students secure top schools at NGSA.

By: Ranetta La Fleur.