Early childhood education is very important, since this is where the foundation is laid for good performance in primary and secondary schools, and even into higher academic endeavours, Minister of Education Shaik Baksh told a gathering of parents and other invited guests at the commissioning of the Bath Nursery School Saturday.
The $25.6M child-friendly school is the first one of its kind in the community. The previous nursery school was located at a resident’s home and a part of the community’s primary school in the past.
Minister Baksh indicated that the new school building is another achievement in the advancement of education in Guyana.

He highlighted that while there are many teachers who are dedicated to nation building, since much time is spent in educating children, parents and the community have a very important role to play in the process as well.
An active parent teacher association which would assist the teachers in maintaining the building and beautifying the compound should be in place, the Minister said.
Minister Baksh urged parents,
especially fathers, to spend more time with their children and to be a part of their education process.

Importantly, it was indicated that by the end of the year, an education act would be legislated that would mandate parents to send their children to school.
He emphasised that several new programmes are being set up to assist children who may not be academically inclined, including the mentoring programme. A three-month programme would be initiated for those children who wrote the Grade Six assessment and may have literacy problems.
In addressing the ongoing truancy issue, Minister Baksh stated that parents are partly responsible for the violence in schools. He indicated there must be discipline in school and discipline starts in the home.
In addition, it was noted that the ministry would expel those students over 15 who are involved in school violence, while for those below that age, necessary provisions would be made to assist them.

He said good parenting is lacking and the ministry would take the responsibility of hosting parenting sessions around the country.
Minister Baksh urged parents to spread the message of education in the community, since it is the ministry’s vision to continue the improvement of education throughout the country.
The new building was funded by the Government of Guyana in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). It was implemented by the Basic Needs Trust Fund.
Staff of the school, the Region Five Education Officer and Regional Chairman, applauded the government for the provisions being made to improve education throughout Guyana.
Over the years, the administration has constructed and rehabilitated several schools countrywide in an effort to ensure that every child has access to a quality education. (GINA)