$53.8M primary school commissioned in Parfait Harmonie
Georgetown, GINA, October 28, 2011
Source - GINA
A student of the Parfait Harmonie primary school cutting the symbolic ribbon. Also in the picture is Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh, Head Teacher, Shaundel Chichester and Regional Education Officer, Marlyn Jones O’Donohue.
Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara is one of the largest housing developments in Guyana with 8000 house lots being distributed by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government. In other fast developing communities such as this one, Government has been making significant investments to ensure residents have access to the much needed services including education. Such is evident in Diamond where a secondary school was built and construction is on-going on a primary school both with the capacity to house 1000 pupils.
Today, the new $53.8M Parfait Harmonie primary school was officially commissioned. The community is still in need of a nursery school and Education Minister Shaik Baksh announced that provisions are being made in the 2012 national budget for its construction. He added that there are 10 more schools to be commissioned around the country.
Minister Baksh emphasised that the schools being built, particularly primary and secondary, in the new housing developments must have the capacity to accommodate 1000 pupils.
The Minister made reference to the ‘C’ Field Sophia nursery school which was commissioned on Thursday and reiterated that by 2013 all eligible pupils who are 3 years 9 months must be enrolled in the pre-primary level. He explained that this level of learning will become compulsory, such is important so that children can commence preparation for the primary level at an early age. Importantly, this will push the Ministry’s aim to ensure all pupils are able to read, write and understand by the end of Grade 2.
Minister Baksh noted that an assessment will be done to determine the reading and writing abilities of students and the school that attains above 85 percent will be recognised.
Education Managers, teachers, students and parents gathered at the commissioning of the Parfait Harmonie primary school.
The presence of schools in the various housing developments points to the fact that the pupils are from diverse backgrounds and communities hence it is of utmost importance that the teachers have the requisite skills to identify the slow learners early and structure their lessons to meet each child’s needs. In this regard, the Ministry has revamped the curriculum at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) to ensure trainee teachers are also knowledgeable about the sociological and psychological factors that affect children’s learning.
With regards to tapering truancy, Minister Baksh urged the parents and teachers to ensure students attend school regularly. He also called on the teachers to be regular since this ensures they complete the curriculum in a timely manner while the students get the education they so deserve.
Minister Baksh highlighted that Region Three’s performance at the National Grade Six Assessment has been consistent with the Region ranking third, and it is his hope that the students at the Parfait Harmonie School will contribute to the Region’s advancement in rank at the exams. He added that educational standards are in place to foster the consistent improvement of results.
A section of the new Parfait Harmonie primary school.
The Minister informed that gathering that the Education Ministry is working on a proposal which will see the establishment of a special fund to be used to assist needy families thereby empowering them to send their children to school.
Regional Education Officer, Marlyn Jones O’Donohue indicated that the new building provides a more conducive teaching learning experience. She called on the students to leave their footprints in the sands of achievement and not on the walls and furniture.
The new school was funded by the Government of Guyana and the Caribbean Development Bank, and implemented by Basic Needs Trust Fund.
Georgetown, GINA, October 28, 2011
Source - GINA
A student of the Parfait Harmonie primary school cutting the symbolic ribbon. Also in the picture is Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh, Head Teacher, Shaundel Chichester and Regional Education Officer, Marlyn Jones O’Donohue.Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara is one of the largest housing developments in Guyana with 8000 house lots being distributed by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government. In other fast developing communities such as this one, Government has been making significant investments to ensure residents have access to the much needed services including education. Such is evident in Diamond where a secondary school was built and construction is on-going on a primary school both with the capacity to house 1000 pupils.
Today, the new $53.8M Parfait Harmonie primary school was officially commissioned. The community is still in need of a nursery school and Education Minister Shaik Baksh announced that provisions are being made in the 2012 national budget for its construction. He added that there are 10 more schools to be commissioned around the country.
Minister Baksh emphasised that the schools being built, particularly primary and secondary, in the new housing developments must have the capacity to accommodate 1000 pupils.
The Minister made reference to the ‘C’ Field Sophia nursery school which was commissioned on Thursday and reiterated that by 2013 all eligible pupils who are 3 years 9 months must be enrolled in the pre-primary level. He explained that this level of learning will become compulsory, such is important so that children can commence preparation for the primary level at an early age. Importantly, this will push the Ministry’s aim to ensure all pupils are able to read, write and understand by the end of Grade 2.
Minister Baksh noted that an assessment will be done to determine the reading and writing abilities of students and the school that attains above 85 percent will be recognised.
Education Managers, teachers, students and parents gathered at the commissioning of the Parfait Harmonie primary school.The presence of schools in the various housing developments points to the fact that the pupils are from diverse backgrounds and communities hence it is of utmost importance that the teachers have the requisite skills to identify the slow learners early and structure their lessons to meet each child’s needs. In this regard, the Ministry has revamped the curriculum at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) to ensure trainee teachers are also knowledgeable about the sociological and psychological factors that affect children’s learning.
With regards to tapering truancy, Minister Baksh urged the parents and teachers to ensure students attend school regularly. He also called on the teachers to be regular since this ensures they complete the curriculum in a timely manner while the students get the education they so deserve.
Minister Baksh highlighted that Region Three’s performance at the National Grade Six Assessment has been consistent with the Region ranking third, and it is his hope that the students at the Parfait Harmonie School will contribute to the Region’s advancement in rank at the exams. He added that educational standards are in place to foster the consistent improvement of results.
A section of the new Parfait Harmonie primary school.The Minister informed that gathering that the Education Ministry is working on a proposal which will see the establishment of a special fund to be used to assist needy families thereby empowering them to send their children to school.
Regional Education Officer, Marlyn Jones O’Donohue indicated that the new building provides a more conducive teaching learning experience. She called on the students to leave their footprints in the sands of achievement and not on the walls and furniture.
The new school was funded by the Government of Guyana and the Caribbean Development Bank, and implemented by Basic Needs Trust Fund.