-former teacher defends APNU+AFC’s investments in education

By Navendra Seoraj
GUYANESE are now the beneficiaries of quality education which was made possible by the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition, said former Teacher, Joan-Ann Romascindo.

The education sector crumbled and struggled for 23 years, said Romascindo, who took the stage at APNU+AFC’s rally in Diamond, on Wednesday. Over the past four years, the education sector has been “rekindled” by the coalition, which reversed the decline of the sector.

“The decline of education under the PPP was because of the minister who said no child left behind,” said Romasindo, as she cranked up the crowd of people who were clad in yellow and green. She said it didn’t take the coalition long to realise that the education sector had deteriorated. And, in an effort to improve the sector, the coalition invested billions of dollars into education.

The coalition was praised by Romascindo and the crowd, for embarking on a course to “re-educate” Guyanese. In recognising the investment and work of the coalition government, the former teacher said: “billions of dollars were spent on education because our leaders know the only way to have a developed country is to educate the people.”

Among the investments in education, particularly in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), was the $302M which was spent on the construction and rehabilitation of schools and its surroundings. Additionally, in 2017, children of Yarrowkabra, for the first time, were able to attend primary school in the village and, very soon, they will be able to attend secondary school in village, said Romascindo.

“Investments didn’t stop there… government saw it fit to extend the Peter’s Hall Primary School in 2019 and there has since been an increase in enrollment,” said the former teacher. As the crowd started to chant for more, Romascindo responded by saying President David Granger implemented the five Bs programme to ensure that children could attend school.

Progress has been widespread, said the former teacher, adding that education is “serious business” for the coalition. “It doesn’t stop there. Guyanese, come 2020, after the 2nd, government is going to reintroduce free university education,” said Romascindo, as she recalled when tertiary education was free under former President and Founder of the People’s National Congress (PNC), Forbes Burnham.

She said the coalition government is building on Burnham’s plans for the education sector and will soon ensure that there is free education from nursery to university.
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was accused of changing Burnham’s policy and “crushing” the dreams of many persons by adding a price to university education. “The PPP/C said free education can’t happen because people will get smart and throw us out,” said Romascindo, adding that many people could not and still cannot afford to attend university.

She, however, assured Guyanese that the future is bright for their children, grandchildren and future generations because President Granger has promised to make university education free again. Romascindo believes that the President will keep his promise because his wife, First Lady, Sandra Granger, has started the process of educating the nation by investing in STEM education and also in vocational training.
Do you think the PPP will do that for you? She asked, as she further enquired what will the voters do come March 2, 2020. “Who will be our President for the next five years? Granger! Yes, Granger,” Romascindo said, as she urged persons to “vote smart” and “vote right” for the coalition.

The former teacher strongly believes that President Granger is the right choice because his contender, Presidential Candidate of the PPP, Irfaan Ali is yet to even defend his academic qualifications. “Children will see this and think they could stay home and turn president, we don’t want that,” Romascindo asserted. In this regard, she said elections are serious business since it will determine the future of the country and its young people. The coalition has proven its capabilities to develop the country. “With all of this, it is clear that we are voting solidly for the APNU+AFC, come March 2,” said Romasindo.