Georgetown: Over the past two decades, Government has been seeking ways to reduce the gap that exists between the hinterland and the coastland as it relates to development, more especially with regards to education, hence the implementation of a number of initiatives targeting hinterland students. The most recent has been the introduction of the Hinterland Education Improvement Programme (HEIP).
These programme targets specific areas that need Government’s intervention, so as to ensure the country’s children are not only provided with the necessary infrastructure, but they also receive the quality of education that is much needed in the Hinterland. The programme will be implemented over the next five years targeting Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9.
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand along with Permanent Secretary, Delma Nedd, Region 7, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Peter Ramotar, and other ministry officials held a consultation over the weekend with residents of Kamarang and neighbouring villages to have their input on the implementation on the HEIP programme.
During brief remarks at the event which was held at the Kamarang Primary School, Minister Manickchand highlighted some of the developments that have been occurring in the education system over the years.
"The only sustained way to do well and stay doing well is to invest in education…We in the Government believe that we must strongly invest in education, but it is one thing to say that we will invest… we must match that commitment with financial resources and we have been doing that," Minister Manickchand noted.
Last year, 15.9 percent of the National Budget was spent in the education sector, followed by 13 percent this year. In 1992, it was a mere 5 percent.
Because of this consistent investment, 72 % of teachers spread across the country are trained, compared to 30% trained two decades ago. More than 50 percent of the teachers in the Hinterland regions are trained, through the Guyana Basic Education Teacher Training Programme, and other initiatives that facilitate distance training.
Ninety-two (92) percent of the clusters have access to a Learning Resource Centre (LRC). Ninety percent of the schools have a teachers’ house and 90% are equipped with sanitary blocks, 45% with electricity and 83% with water facilities.
Having achieved Universal Primary education, Minister Manickchand said that focus is now on now on secondary education. Currently, a modern secondary school is being built at Kato, Region Eight, and there is consideration for one to be built in the Upper Mazaruni.
Today, there are 130 nursery schools across the hinterland, 250 primary schools, and 17 secondary schools.
“We believe that you are important as every other citizen and you must be treated equally," Minister Manickchand told the residents.
She said that Government recognised that once the infrastructure was in place, then the next step was to improve the attendance rate, hence the introduction of the school feeding and uniform programmes.
As a result, 74% of the nursery school students are attending school, 81% primary and 82% secondary.
Further, Government introduced a new initiative this year which will see every nursery, primary and secondary aged child in the public school system receiving a $10,000 grant.
The HEIP initiative is a five-year plan to improve education delivery in the hinterland and riverain areas. Among the targeted ares are: improvement of quality of teacher education, aligning teaching-learning resources to improve students’ outcome, improving physical facilities, fostering community alliances and strengthening management supervision.
During today's event, the residents had an opportunity to raise concerns one of which is the need for training for teachers in different areas.
While commending the Government for the infrastructure that has been put in place, the residents are asking for more teaching materials for the nursery schools, and to include craft and Information Technology as subjects in the secondary schools. The residents are also requesting that the ministry facilitates more consultations as it relates to implementing education policies and programmes.
Minister Manickchand said that the ministry will be reviewing these recommendations and concerns and will be implementing them though the HEIP programme over the next five years.
Already the HEIP was launched in Region Nine at Lethem, and Bartica, Region seven.
Region One is to benefit shortly.
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