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 Kids having fun at the new Bel Air Nursery school. | |
Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Keenan, Task Force Commander of United States (U.S.) New Horizons Guyana Programme, which oversaw the construction of the building, said: “Nothing like this happens without the support of many, many people.”
The US$230,000 structure, measuring 30 feet by 70 feet was built by U.S. Air Force civil engineers from New Horizons Guyana who completed the job two weeks ahead of schedule, so that the edifice would be ready for the beginning of new school year on September 1.
Prior to its construction, Bel Air Nursery School was an adjunct to Bel Air Primary School for approximately 27 years.
However, the erection has allowed for a change from cramped conditions.
Classrooms are separated by wooden partitions and there are two toilets and a bathroom, an office for the headteacher and a kitchen.
A playground is fitted with several pieces of recreational equipment to facilitate the children with slides and monkey bars, among other things.
New Horizons Guyana is a U.S. organisation that does humanitarian work in partner countries and its programme is designed to strengthen ties with nations in Central and South America, through combined quality-of-life improvement projects, the facilitators of which are American volunteer soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen participating in the U.S. Southern Command exercise, on two-week rotations.
 One of the students from Bel Air Nursery School assisting Minister Dr. Desrey Fox to cut the ceremonial ribbon yesterday. | |
As part of a continuous partnership between the U.S. and Guyana, Food for the Poor, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), also assisted in making the new school a reality by donating the furniture.
The donation included tables, chairs, bookshelves and other necessities.
Members of the New Horizons team supported the institution in other tangible ways, including the pooling of funds, some of which were used to acquire a computer and printer that, together with the rest of money, were handed over yesterday.
Keenan, in an invited comment, said that, aside from the satisfaction of being able to help with educating the younger generation, the eagerness and happiness of the children were ultimately rewarding.
He remarked that his fellow Americans had laid the foundation and it is up to the stakeholders to forge ahead in shaping the minds for Guyana’s tomorrow.
“You now have to teach and inspire Guyana’s next generation of scholars and leaders,” Keenan said.
U.S. Embassy Charge d’ Affaires, Mrs. Karen Williams, also at the function, agreed that partnerships are imperative for the development process.
To this end, she pledged, on behalf of the people of the U.S., the continuance of a strong commitment to the Guyanese people to improve quality of life here.
 U.S. Embassy Charge d’ Affaires, Mrs. Karen Williams at the opening ceremony yesterday. | |
Williams added that the friendships that have been forged and the bonds made will last a lifetime, as will the contribution to the development of Guyanese youth.
Expressing gratitude for the significant contribution to the education sector was Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr Desrey Fox.
She said the event was an expression of the things that the Ministry of Education wants for the development of Guyana.
However, Fox alluded to challenges and said overcoming them will require the efforts of a partnership with the Ministry of Education, the parents, the teachers and other stakeholders.
She noted that the opening of Bel Air Nursery was very important and acknowledged that it bridged a gap in physical infrastructure, facilitating improved access and quality education.
“Nursery school begins life for a child, so it is important for emphasis to be placed on nursery education,” Fox maintained.
She affirmed that the Ministry is grateful for the assistance and assured that steps are being taken to improve education for all children in Guyana.
