Maintaining keen Ministry interest…
EDUCATION Minister Shaik Baksh has refuted suggestions that the ministry does not have a keen interest in the physical infrastructure and quality delivery in schools outside of Georgetown. He addressed the issue at the recent National Teachers’ Award Ceremony, in the National Culture Centre, where he said this impression, conveyed in the Tuesday February 8, 2011 edition of Stabroek News, is not reflective of the truth.
In a release, Mr. Baksh said his ministry is aware of the challenges faced by certain schools outside of the city and has been working with the respective regions to have them dealt with at the level of the Regional Education Officers, Regional Executive Officers and Regional Chairmen.
He said his ministry will not turn a blind eye to those situations, as any condition that affects the smooth delivery of education is a matter of concern.
Baksh said the ministry recognises the close nexus between a healthy and safe school environment and quality education delivery.
“When these issues are brought to our attention, we make a concerted effort to have them addressed but, as most people are aware, the Ministry of Education does not have direct control over the buildings, repairs, maintenance and other infrastructural matters of schools outside of Georgetown. Indeed, the National Budget makes allocations to the regions for those works to be carried out,” he explained.
Baksh said it is regrettable when regional officials fail to address these matters in a timely manner and maintained that his ministry does not have “a hands off” approach to the issue.
The release noted that the schools in Georgetown are under the purview of the central ministry and are in good physical condition, generally, and remain supportive learning environments.
The Ministry of Education has been and continues to make every effort to ensure that schools outside of Georgetown attain these standards, it maintained.

ACHIEVEMENTS
The release said it is important to note, too, that the achievements to ensure that schools are safe, healthy, supportive and conducive learning environments are known and have been acknowledged by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which conducted a survey of child-friendly schools in six countries, including Guyana.
The release said one of the core questions addressed in the UNICEF report is the extent to which Guyana has achieved appropriate school architecture and services (buildings, yards, sanitation, health, nutrition) and it concluded that “overall, Guyana has made significant progress in making schools child-friendly.”
The release said the compendium also recognised the challenges that remain and the Education Ministry is working with all stakeholders to have them addressed.
It should also be noted that, under the School Improvement Initiative, which provides support to all schools, with particular attention to primary schools, in developing  School Improvement Plans (SIPs), grants of $1M are given to each school for its physical improvement.
To date, 200 schools have benefitted from SIP grants, the release said, adding that, in recognition of the need for a National Asset Management Strategy for Educational Facilities in Guyana, an international consultancy has developed an action plan which is now being implemented.
Importantly, a conditions survey will be carried out in all schools so that repairs and rehabilitation of buildings can be done on a priority basis.