Residents of Unity and Lancaster were Tuesday given the opportunity to voice their concerns to Ministers of Agriculture and Education Robert Persaud and Shaik Baksh, during a community meeting at the Gibson Primary School, Unity, East Coast Demerara.
Scores of persons attended the meeting that discussed issues affecting them and the way forward.
Among  the issues raised were truancy, the need for computers, more furniture and equipment for the Economics Department for the Lancaster Secondary School, maintenance of the Gibson Primary school, more text books for the school library, birth certificates and maintenance of the canal in the Unity area.
Minister Baksh, addressing issues, emphasised the need for residents to work collaboratively in the interest of all and for the future development of the country.
He said that two years ago a decision was taken to divide the school system, allowing Gibson to remain a primary school and Lancaster a secondary school. However, he noted that there were still problems in the school’s administration.
“There were constant problems with parents and the head which came to my attention and the Teaching Service Commission decided to transfer the individual; however there were other issues at the school,” he said.
Minister Baksh, while outlining the education structure, said that the central component of the Ministry makes policies and monitors work on a daily basis; and the Regional System; which is responsible for managing the school system, comprises the Regional Chairman and the Regional Executive Officers.
“Certain things are dealt with by the Education Ministry itself; such as poor performance and shortage of teachers; while issues such as non-functional sanitary (blocks) and electricity can be dealt with at the regional level,” he said.
On the issue of shortage of furniture, equipment for the Home Economics Department and the misuse of building materials, Minister Baksh assured that an investigation will be launched into the matter of the building materials, while works to the school will commence shortly.
In addition, the Regional Education Officer (REDO) announced that under the Ministry’s capital programme, a stove, refrigerator and utensils will be purchased. He said that the region has already sent out the tenders.
Speaking on the issue of computers to further enhance technology, the Education Minister said that it is one of the administration’s aims during this year, as President Jagdeo had promised, to have all schools, from nursery to university, become fully equipped with computers and internet access.
He noted that 50 schools countrywide are already fully computerized as the programme is moving apace, while a further 20 computer laboratories are currently being constructed in schools countrywide.
He assured residents that Lancaster Secondary, which has a population of 343 students, will receive text books in a week’s time. Gibson Primary has 347 students.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud said government recognizes that the agriculture sector is critical to the country and will need necessary interventions since the area contributes much income.
As such, an excavator had been deployed to effect key drainage works, while emergency works have already been carried out in the canal at Unity.
To ensure that community drainage remains functional, the Ministry has re-hired more community enhancement workers. (GINA)