THE Berbice High School (BHS) recently marked its Centennial at a ceremony where a vice president and a minister of government, who are old students of the school, made addresses.Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, in his address noted that there are many others who would have achieved extensively and deeply, who are very proud on all occasions to let it be known they are products of the Berbice High School.

Sharing this pride, he charged the current student body to carry that tradition and help to uphold that pride in the school and its achievements.
“The one year spent at BHS made a tremendous impact. Some of the things learnt in music and academically, set the foundation for other achievements in proceeding parts of my life, to that extent I recognise and must pay tribute to my educators. Many persons today do not take time to appreciate the efforts of those who played an important role in carving their future,” Minister Greenidge explained.
He added that the theme is important in that it takes cognisance of the fact that life provides a variety of challenges, many of which offer opportunities at various stages. “You can take the window of opportunity to do something to put you in a good position at all times,” the Foreign Affairs Minister urged.
According to Greenidge, Guyana has arrived at a point in time where there is recognition of the need for the society to pull together so as to allow the potential of the Guyanese people to be fulfilled regardless of ethnicity or origin. “We have a set of human resources in particular that could lift us materially, economically and socially,” Greenidge outlined, adding that, finding ways of ensuring people work together within a community is important if they are going to achieve better economic prospects.
“If the goals we have for ourselves as a society are to be improved, the extent to which you cooperate will determine the pace of economic development, social advancement and movement up the ladder of economic and social prosperity,” Greenidge outlined.

Minister within the Ministry of Education Nicolette Henry, in her remarks noted that over the years schools in general have evolved to meet the needs of students, the society and the country. Nevertheless, as BHS now celebrates its 100 years of existence it is an opportunity to reflect on the changes that have taken place in the school system to better position itself for future development, she said.
Henry noted that the partnership between parents and the school is especially important in ensuring that knowledge and values that the children acquire in school are reinforced at home. “Such partnerships also promote greater bonding between parent and child, and as the parent is actively involved in his or her child’s learning, I know that that helps us to produce and support a better and more holistic child,” Minister Henry said.
Berbice High School has earned the place of ‘top high school’ for the region due to students’ performance at the CXC. Its alumni include a number of internationally recognised persons such as former CCJ Judge, Justice Duke Pollard; 2nd Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl

Greenidge; former Commonwealth Secretary General, Sir Shridat Ramphal; Sir Edward Luckhoo, Sir Lionel Luckhoo, Minister Nicolette Henry and scores of others.
The theme for the school’s 100th Anniversary is, ‘Seizing the opportunity to train and build a cohesive society’. (GINA)