Government continues to ensure that single parents are provided with life skills in order that they can comfortably eke out a living for themselves and children.

Minister of Labour, Manzoor Nadir with graduates from Region Five.

One hundred and eight single parents of Regions Five and Six have completed training in the areas of cosmetology, catering and garment construction.

Monday, graduation ceremonies were held at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI), with 58 single parents, and at the Bath/ Waterloo Primary School, with 50 single parents. They graduated after a four-month stint.

Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir in his address, urged the graduates to apply themselves and utilise the equipment given them. He assured of the administration’s commitment to reducing poverty.

He stated that the single parent training was an initiative of Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand, with $25M being spent to conduct training, and another $25M set aside to help purchase items to start up their businesses.

Minister Nadir said in 2006, in its manifesto, Government promised a programme to assist single parents in Guyana and that is being fulfilled with this graduation.

He said that due to many requests from single parents for assistance, this promise was made.

In 2008, there was a country-wide call for single parents to register at the Ministry, and over 18,000 persons registered for some form of help. In the 2009 budget, $75M was allocated to help the persons who registered.

He said that development is about improvement in every aspect of life, including housing, education and health, but most importantly about people and society. It was this realisation which prompted government to equip its citizens with skills to make quality contributions to both personal and national development.

Principal of the Institute and member of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), Ronald Simon, challenged the graduates to boost their skills. He said the group seemed very enthusiastic and he was confident of their ability to succeed.

BIT CEO/ Secretary, Alana Brassington, said that this programme was a success and she knew it was challenging to work in a learning environment with adults; but it was beneficial and worth it.

She said that the target was to train 250 to 300 persons though there were 370 persons identified.

There is a total of 412 persons currently in training, and just over 40 have dropped out, which is a smaller amount than expected. By February 2010, 370 single parents are scheduled to graduate.