UNICEF Deputy Country representative calls on Education Minister

On Wednesday, November 27, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) Deputy Country Representative for Guyana and Suriname Mr. Irfan Akhtar accompanied by Audrey Rodrigues – UNICEF’s Education Specialist paid a courtesy call on Minister of Education Dr.The Hon Nicolette Henry, at her 21 Brickdam office.

During the engagement, the officials discussed how they can strengthen the existing good relationship between the two parties. Mr. Akhtar lauded the efforts of the MoE on the formulation of its Education Sector Plan (ESP) since this aligns with the successful attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, that speaks to issues relative to education. The UNICEF Representative said that the two agencies must explore new areas of cooperation so that the most pressing and immediate needs in the education sector can be addressed.

On behalf of her ministry and the Government of Guyana (GoG), Minister Henry expressed her appreciation for the work that UNICEF continues to execute in Guyana. Further, the Minister said that the government “is putting its money where its mouth is”. In this regard the Education Minister said that the budgetary allocation to the education sector is a testimony to this, noting that the sector has received the largest budgetary allocation.

Added to that Minister Henry said that she would like to see more work in the field since this allows for a good understanding of the issues on the ground. This Minister Henry believes will ensure the most appropriate strategies are formulated to address these.