Pres. Ali commits funding for all aspiring hinterland teachers, health workers

With the country in need of more skilled personnel, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has committed the government’s financial support to all aspiring teachers and health workers in hinterland areas.

The Head of State, while addressing an indigenous cultural extravaganza at the National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), said that Guyana’s indigenous people should not be excluded from any opportunities in the rapidly transforming sector.

Amid the increased demand for key skills in the expanding health and education sector, Dr. Ali assured the audience of the government’s intentions to support the aspirations of the country’s indigienous people.

“Every single Amerindian with the appropriate qualification that wants to be trained as a nurse, as a teacher, as a dental technician, as a medical worker, I am saying to you now, we are committing as a government that we will train every single one of you.

“Come forward we will provide the opportunity, we will provide the money, we will provide the environment and we will give you that opportunity,” President Ali said.

This commitment comes as part of the administration’s efforts to create “world class” health and education sectors. And the Head of State said that the skills of all Guyanese must be harnessed.

Already, President Ali said more than 500 teachers from hinterland and riverain communities across the country have opted to join the teaching profession this year.

Aside from these sectors, it was noted that the government is hoping to stimulate economic activity and provide jobs in other sectors.

To push the hinterland housing programme and construction sector, Dr. Ali said that the government will be sourcing about two million building blocks from indigenous communities. He also noted that increasing food production in these areas is a priority.

And so, he posited, “Your future is going to be better, the opportunities of the future will come to you.

“… you will be an equal partner in the development of our country.”