Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) Chairman, Mr. Rudolph Gajraj, has said though discipline at the school has improved tremendously, there are still some issues which need to be addressed.

Speaking at the institution’s recent graduation at its Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara facility, Gajraj pointed out that matters of students’ absenteeism and alcohol use must be addressed in the coming year.

“Notwithstanding its relative freedoms, campus life requires some amount of discipline that must be observed and enforced,” he contended.

Students’ poor performance at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations in Mathematics and English is another area of concern, the Chairman said.

He said over the past few years, the GSA has been, at great cost, administering remedial programmes in these two disciplines.

“We have now proposed that at the entry acceptance stage, students be notified of the requirement to do these courses and help to meet the costs incurred,” Gajraj disclosed.

He noted that, in the area of administration, the school board continues to look at the exceedingly high costs incurred in relation to the school’s overall expenditure.

“We have been looking at a proposal from management to standardise school fees. Since the fees we charge are basically for boarding and lodging, and we would still like to see further improvements in the cafeteria and housekeeping services provided to students, we think it is justifiable,” he added.

Gajraj also said the school’s maintenance department will be restructured.

Last year, he reported, the streamlining of operations in the areas of academic, administrative and production management continued with considerable progress.

The Chairman said the board has always been of the view that in keeping with the present day situation and needs, the farm management must be re-oriented on a stricter business footing.

“I am most pleased to let you know that such a transition has been made on the livestock farm and the results so far have been phenomenal,” he stressed. This approach, the Chairman said, will be instituted on the crop farms from this September.

As for academic supervision, the board has impressed on management the need for equivalency in the quality of programme delivery for students of the Essequibo campus.

“I am happy to report that these assurances were given and from all appearances, have been realised.

“ New engagements with the University of Guyana regarding agricultural education and training have been mandated and initiated. Curriculum content and human resources available for delivery are currently under review,” Gajraj stated.