HISTORICALLY, in Guyana, there has been a large education gap between the hinterland communities and their counterparts on the coastland. However, in recent years that anomaly has been significantly reduced as the current government has been working feverishly to boost education facilities and opportunities for hinterland students at the nursery, primary and secondary levels.

It was most unfortunate that, under the previous PNC government, scant attention was paid to education  and  educational development in the hinterland. As such, there were a limited number of schools, dormitories, transportation facilities and a limited number of teachers. This was compounded by the lack of educational opportunities for those from within the communities who may have wished to become teachers; and it was difficult and logistically impractical to send teachers from the coastland to fill vacancies in hinterland schools.

The high level of poverty was also a serious constraint –  and still is, even though at a vastly reduced level –  to students obtaining an acceptable level of education.

But today, because of the government’s school-feeding programme, provision of textbooks, and uniform and transportation allowances, the situation has dramatically changed albeit there is room for much improvement.

With respect to providing an adequate number of trained teachers, the Education Ministry has implemented a Distance Education Programme which has been successful, and because the schools are staffed by teachers from within the communities, brings obvious advantages as problems of logistics and culture are minimal.

The number of schools, particularly at the secondary level, and dormitories have greatly increased and many have also been refurbished. This  has resulted in a sharp increase in the number of places to accommodate students.

The quality of education in these communities will also be further enhanced as government pursues its programme of providing electricity through the use of solar panels.
This will be of special benefit in relation to the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF)  programme – which, according to Dr. Roger Luncheon is ‘one of the most transformational social and economic development programmes this country has ever undertaken’ –  as access to the internet further increase opportunities for research and obtaining vitally needed education materials.

So it was not surprising to hear Education Minister Shaik Baksh, during a recent  outreach to Regions Eight and Nine, reiterating government’s commitment towards improving the quality of education in the hinterland.

Speaking at the hinterland community of Tipuru,  Baksh disclosed: “Within the next year when you have the computer laboratory here, you will have two quality teachers to teach Information Technology.”

On this note, he sounded a most encouraging announcement of the pursuit of having child-friendly schools. “If we are to get a child friendly school, the first thing is to have proper water supply in the school, for sanitation purposes,” Baksh assured.
In this regard, regional education authorities must never forget that tragic incident in which a child fell through the floor of a ‘latrine’ (outside toilet)  and died, and vow to ensure that such a horrible tragedy does not recur.
With respect to dormitories, Baksh promised that these will be expanded while the school feeding programme will be continued. However, he touched on a most pertinent point, and that is, parents must ensure their children attend school, as no school education programme could be successful without their support.