Need for more schools, facilities in Reg. 3 – Education Minister

With a growing population in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Minister of Education Priya Manickchand says that more schools and other educational facilities are needed there.

Already, the construction of a nursery school has started at Parika, East Bank Essequibo. The Education Minister, however, noted that primary schools are needed at Tuschen and at La Parfaite Harmonie on the West Bank of Demerara.

“These are growing communities,” she said at a forum held at the West Demerara Secondary school on Wednesday.

And with an increasing number of residents, she reasoned that it is important for children to have greater access to educational institutions in their community. Additional schools are expected elsewhere.

The minister also said that works are ongoing to complete a dormitory facility at the Leonora Secondary school. This facility is expected to house some 65 children and Manickchand said the construction of this facility was done to prevent children from having to travel far distances to attend school.

“When you live halfway up the Demerara river, or halfway up the Essequibo river, secondary school is a dream outside of your reach (because) your parents can’t afford that boat ride every day (or) they can’t afford that bus ride every day from Parika.

“We will build that dorm and we will ensure that every child that wants to come to secondary school in region three can come to Region Three,” Manickchand stated.