Baksh promises resources to bolster Region Nine development
MINISTER with the portfolio, Mr. Shaik Baksh, reiterating that education is the backbone of all sectors of the economy, said the delivery of quality to the nation’s children remains a top most priority. He outlined the policy in a speech to students, teachers, parents and regional education officials at the recent graduation of St. Ignatius Secondary School, Rupununi, in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).
Baksh lauded the performance of both teachers and students of the Grade ‘B’ learning institution, stating that they made the Education Ministry proud, as the Government is getting returns from its investments to ensure equity and quality delivery in the school system.
He also challenged the school’s administrators to maintain the showing and, urging  parents to continue playing a more integral role in their children’s education, emphasised that his ministry is fully supportive of their efforts.
The school secured an overall pass rate of 73.18 per cent in grades one to three and its best student, Yusuf Abrahams passed in eight subjects, with three distinctions, one in Mathematics and four grade ones, including one in English.
St. Ignatius Secondary emerged the top secondary school in Region Nine at the 2010 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, in which the Region ranked third among the other Regions, in relation to passes in grades one to three, with 69.74 per cent, behind Georgetown, which had the highest pass rate of 76.50 per cent and Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) with 73.35 per cent.
It was also mentioned, at the ceremony, that St. Ignatius students’ Geography and Technical Drawing results were, significantly, better than most schools on the coastland and their pass rate of 71 per cent in English A was above the national average of 59 per cent.
However, noting that the pass rate in Mathematics was unsatisfactory, Baksh promised to assign an additional teacher for the subject at the school with more support materials, to reverse the outcome.
In addition, he said all hinterland students who secured four subjects and more with passes in grades one to three but without Mathematics or English or both will be eligible for free tuition to re-sit the examination in January next year.
The objective of this intervention, which is being done at a cost of $30M, Baksh explained, is to ensure that more students from the hinterland regions are qualified to pursue higher education and benefit from similar opportunities at the disposal of coastland students.
On the whole, he said the St. Ignatius students’ performance reflects a positive outlook for Region Nine, which will require skilled human resources to advance its developmental agenda.