Speaking at the commissioning ceremony today, at Good Hope, Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam, emphasised the significance of the event, noting that it is a promise to the nation, to ensure education is delivered equitably and in a very strategic manner to the nation’s children.

The Chief Education Officer spoke of the ministry’s plan of action for early child hood education, which incorporates parents, who are the key players, to prepare the child for the education system. The ministry has been preparing materials and providing programmes through the Guyana Learning Channel in this regard.

A programme was rolled out throughout the regions, capturing the best pedagogical practices at the earliest level, and according to Sam, this provides an education foundation that will serve the children for the remainder of their lives and other educational experiences.

Inside the Good Hope Nursery School, East Coast Demerara

“We want to ensure that there is a direct nexus, a link between primary and nursery education, so that there is a seamless transition, and we have thought that through quite extensively, and we are now working to ensure that the transition run smoother,” Sam explained.

He said that the ministry’s strategic approach has enabled it to provide primary education throughout the length and breadth of Guyana and it is proud of the fact that the percentage of teachers, trained at this level, has increased.

To the parents, he said that they must recognise their role in helping to mould the children into receiving the quality of education that they deserve. He urged them to visit the school regularly and so develop a partnership with the teachers.

Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam and Regional Chairman, Clement Corlette  planting a tree at Good Hope Nursery School in the presence of Regional Executive Officer, Deolall Rooplall and other education officials

These students are indeed the emerging future leaders, Sam highlighted.

In Guyana, 85% of nursery school aged children are enrolled in schools, the highest enrolment figure in the entire Commonwealth Caribbean, thanks to the administration’s commitment to ensuring the relevant facilities are accessible.

Meanwhile, as government continues in its quest to achieve Universal Secondary Education, a new wing was commissioned at the Lancaster Secondary School, Unity Mahaica today, as well.

This extension facilitates a computer lab outfitted with 17 computers and an Industrial Engineering department, to complement the already existing Home Economics and Industrial Technology departments.

Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam and Region Four Chairman, Clement Corlette during the cutting of the ribbon to commission the new wing at the Lancaster Secondary School

At Lancaster, Sam noted that a number of pre-existing schools have been amalgamated in Region Four and all of the secondary age students from Mahaica to Enmore can access discrete secondary education.

Also, to ensure that the ministry’s mission of attaining Universal Secondary Education is achieved in the not so distant future, Sam announced that of the four new secondary schools to be rolled out over the next three years, Region Four will receive two.

Region Four Chairman, Clement Corlette, lauded the regional officers for their efforts to ensure these two areas were outfitted with the facilities which were very much needed. He said that the nursery school will see the further development of Good Hope and will relieve parents from having to travel long distances to take their children to school. He urged the parents to assist in the maintenance of the facility.

Recently, a new $82.3M nursery school was commissioned at Number 77 Village East Berbice Corentyne, built to Caricom standards. 

Lancaster Secondary School located at Unity, Mahaica