Coomacka gets David ‘G’ school bus
The bus that will serve the children of Coomacka
The bus that will serve the children of Coomacka

STUDENTS and parents of the mining community of Coomacka in Region 10 on Wednesday have welcome the provision of a school bus, which was presented under President David Granger’s initiative to keep children in school and release the transportation burden on parents.The bus 30-seater bus, named David ‘G’ 10, was commissioned by the President and Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally at the Coomacka Mines Community Ground.

Children of Coomacka at a ceremony Wednesday, where President Granger commissioned a school bus to serve the Region 10 community
Children of Coomacka at a ceremony Wednesday, where President Granger commissioned a school bus to serve the Region 10 community

Coomacka is approximately 15 miles from Linden and the rough terrain, coupled with the limited transportation, makes it difficult for the children to attend school regularly and punctually.

The bus will also benefit the mining communities of Nottinghamshire, Three Friends and Old England. Parents of these communities were forced to provide $500,000 per day, excluding lunch and other expenses, to have a child attend school in Linden.

The bus will have to make two trips to and from Linden so that the entire student population from these communities can benefit.

The David ‘G’ was donated by Mr. Suresh Jagmohan, owner of S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction services. A representative from the company told this publication that Mr. Jagmohan saw it fit to donate the bus as the company benefits from several contracts in Region 10.

The 5 B’s initiative has already seen the donation of 10 school buses, 9 boats and hundreds of bicycles in all 10 regions since its commencement.

President Granger in his feature address said that the Five Bs initiative, inclusive of Buses, Boats, Bicycles, Breakfast and Books, is central to Region 10 and therefore a contribution such as this is important.

“This region is central, not only to the philosophy of the Government but also to the Geography of this country,” posited the President. He explained that his Government places education as priority and therefore initiatives (such) as these are important.
“We have to make sure that the next generation is not a generation of drop-outs; we have to make sure that every child has a place in school because education is the best preparation to run this nation.”

It is the President’s belief that every child must have an education and therefore the Government has undertaken the Five Bs initiative, which was birthed from a conversation with a parent who revealed the high cost of transportation he is faced with daily to send his child to school.

President Granger said that despite the financial limitations of the Government, students will continue to get help. “We don’t have a lot of money and friends have helped us; and friends have helped us to get this bus…..but we will continue, as long as you support us we will continue region by region, ensuring that children can get to school on time and without depleting the family funds.”

President Granger, in his speech, articulated that the Five Bs initiative will also decrease the inequality level within our country, which stems from one not being educated.

“Apart from achieving education, we are reducing inequality because we are creating for you a level playing field so that you have easy access to school just as children in Region 4 or Region 5 or any other Region. I believe that by reducing inequality we would have a more peaceful – a more tranquil society.

“Poor education creates poverty and poverty creates inequality, so we want to make Guyana a society in which everyone has an equal opportunity to the good things of life.”

The President urged the beneficiaries of this school bus to take care of it as this will motivate the Government to embark in similar ventures. This was echoed by Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally who reminded those present that the bus must be used for no other purpose than taking the students to school. Its management is solely under the RDC.

Minister Ally also boasted that the Five Bs initiative has brought economic relief for many parents. “This certainly would have brought economic relief to our population, hence we welcome contributions from our corporate citizens,” she said.

This 30 seat bus is the 5th contribution made to Region 10 from the Five Bs initiative. The Region is already benefiting from three boats, and a breakfast programme. The Regional Education Office has recorded significant decrease in absenteeism and unpunctuality from students residing in the hinterland areas where the boats transport them to school.

 

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