Food for the Poor donation to Amerindian Affairs Ministry helps outfit Sand Creek dormitory

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has received support from Food for the Poor, to outfit the Sand Creek Secondary School Dormitory in Region Nine, and during a recent visit by Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, she delivered 30 single bed mattresses donated to the ministry from the organisation.

The Sand Creek Secondary School

Minister Sukhai explained that the ministry immediately thought of the school as ideal for the mattresses upon receiving the donation.

The newly constructed school is providing access to education to an additional 50 students from the North Pakaraimas in Region Eight, who were mainly from the Paramakatoi Secondary which was overcrowded. The $77.7M school opened its doors on September 3, 2012 to 88 students.

During her visit Minister Sukhai also spoke to the children about ensuring access to secondary education across the country and Government’s incremental efforts to increase access. She explained that education at all levels will continue to be the priority focus of the Government which recognises that the sector must be placed on the front burner as it is critical to youth  development.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs with students of the Sand

Creek Secondary School in Region Nine

“That is why Government continues to invest significantly in annual programmes such as the School Uniform and the School feeding programmes and continue to enable friendly environs which students can access and learn from.”

She noted that these interventions are costly, but government is committed to its aim of ensuring a well educated labour force for the future development of the country.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai inspects

the Sand Creek Secondary School Dormitory

She urged the students to take the opportunity afforded them through the school, and to leave the secondary institution well-learned and equipped to stand on their own and develop Guyana.

The Sand Creek Secondary School is the newest institution serving hinterland students, bringing the total to 13. It’s a two-storey building that has 15 classrooms, two laboratories, and an administrative office, Home Economics and Industrial Arts Divisions, and a Computer room.

The mattresses that were handed over to the Sand Creek

Secondary school dormitory

A large dormitory provides housing for the students who come from various districts in Region Nine, and now from Region Eight.

Government, cognisant of the need to continue to increase secondary access in the Hinterland, is building another school at Kato in Region Eight that will house more than 100 students.