A NURSERY school is on the cards for the Region One (Barima/Waini) village of Kamwatta while several other schools in the region will benefit from extension works come 2018.
Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan made the disclosure during consideration of the estimates for Budget 2018 last week, while responding to questions from the opposition.

According to the budget set aside for the Regional Democratic Council of Region One, a sum of $179M has been allocated for the construction of buildings for educational purposes in the region.

Extension works are expected to be undertaken at the Santa Rosa Nursery School and the Warapoka and Assakata Primary schools, which are all located in the Moruca sub-region. In addition, the Port Kaituma Primary School annex will also be extended.
The objective of the region’s education- delivery programme is to ensure equal access to quality education for all children and young people of the region.

In 2017, the region scored poorly in terms of pass rates at the national examinations, notably the National Grade Six Examinations (11 per cent) and the Caribbean Secondary Entrance Certificate (CSEC) examinations (45 per cent).
Among the strategies which will be adopted by the RDC in the region in 2018 are the implementation of the national curriculum and the provision of a supportive environment that facilitates the teaching /learning process.

In addition, the regional authorities’ plan entails the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of all aspects of the education system to the Minister of Education.
Meanwhile, the Moruca sub-region is expected to benefit from the services of a wharf, which will further the infrastructural development of the area.

The project falls under the RDC’s agenda and will be undertaken at a cost of $16M. Moruca will also benefit from the services of a radio station, Radio Moruca, a project which will be undertaken by the Office of the Prime Minister and the National Communications Network.
A generator will also be procured and installed at Moruca to enhance the electricity grid there.

In 2018, a new ferry has also been budgeted for Region One under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure at a cost of $3.4B. Government is expected to source funds for the ocean- going vessel from India.
Other works carded for Region One in 2018 include the construction of a bridge at Fall’s Top and culverts near Matthews Ridge and at Waramuri. Those projects will be undertaken at a cost of $66M.

As regards the health sector, under a $150M sum, the Pekera Hospital at Matthews Ridge will benefit from the installation of an oxygen- distribution network. An x-ray room and laboratory have been budgeted for the hospital. At Waramuri, a new doctors’ quarters will be constructed.

A mortuary is also expected to be built at Baramita, while provisions for additional staff quarters have been budgeted for in the town of Mabaruma.