Children from the community of Tiger Bay, Georgetown will now be able to benefit from after school classes among other learning reinforcement initiatives through a neighbourhood study hub launched to target the area.
The programme is a partnership between the Government of Guyana and School of the Nations which has been offering educational support for the youths of Tiger Bay over the years but was discontinued due to financial constraints.
Speaking at the launching on Wednesday held at School of the Nations, Georgetown, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said the aim of the programme goes beyond preparing children to sit national examinations but to address overall the issue of numeracy and literacy.
Participants in the programme will also benefit from the Ministry of Education’s Edu-Trition feeding programme so they can learn in a comfortable environment and can focus on learning.
The project will also be implemented in communities across the country including Bare Root on the East Coast of Demerara, Bath in West Berbice, Canje in East Berbice and Soesdyke on the East Bank of Demerara.
“One of the important things that we must do with our revenue is to give our children and our citizens the best possible education and health care and this is delivering that; so this will be rolled out across the country,” President Ali said.
The Head of State lauded School of the Nations for making their facilities available for the community and for giving back in a holistic way.
He added that instead of volunteerism, the programme will be sustained by involving persons in the government’s temporary employment programme in addition to teachers from the academic institution offering support.
Delivering brief remarks, director of School of the Nations Pamela O’Toole said the institution stands ready to resuscitate the innovative programme and reduce learning poverty and build capacity.
“There is an opportunity to identify and carry out reforms, build capacity and look to innovative solutions that invest in students – I can’t think of a better phrase to describe the Neighourhood Study Hub than an innovative solution that invests in students,” she said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand encouraged the parents to have their children participate in the programme and to partner with the government and school of the nations.
“Today we become partners to make your children’s lives better. Today we become partners to make sure your children will live a life of plenty – will not have a life of struggle because today it begins with the introduction of this programme,” she said.
