ONE of the commendable aspects of the current education policy of the government is the increasing focuson and its investment in education in the remote areas of this country. The improvement in the delivery of education in these communities is definitely a major achievement of this government, as the transformation of the education landscape in the hinterland communities is unprecedented and unparalleled.
This extremely positive development has not come about by an accident. On the contrary, it has come about undeniably because of the government’s visionary education policy and a firm commitment to improving the delivery of education throughout the country.
In this regard, Education Minister Shaik Baksh announced that government will be expanding Annai Secondary School in Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) with the aim of increasing the number of persons in remote areas benefiting from that level of education. This initiative is also being executed with the intention of meeting the accommodation needs of the school’s growing population, Education Minister Shaik Baksh explained during a recent visit, when he met with teachers to listen to their concerns and provide answers on the way forward.
The school, which is located in a complex that houses dormitories for both boys and girls, currently has 470 students on roll and, recently, the dorms were upgraded and extended to cater for more students.
Baksh also announced that the school will receive a number of computers, in January next year, to commence the information technology (IT) programme, for which teachers, too, will be trained.
A computer library will be established with internet services, in keeping with the ministry’s thrust to make every student and teacher, at the secondary level, computer literate.
So great things are happening in the education sector for hinterland communities and from all evidence great things will continue to happen.
One of the unfortunate things about this country is that too many people tend to judge development by what is happening in Georgetown and do not take the time to acquaint themselves with what is taking place across the country. People are still afflicted with the “Georgetown is Guyana syndrome.”
Nevertheless, this development at Annai is a boost for education in the hinterland, which will further contribute to a higher level of education in the catchment area and will help to continue the narrowing of the education gap between the hinterland and coastland.
What is also notable is that the investment in hinterland education is already paying big dividends as there has been excellent performance at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC) examinations by 66 students of the St. Ignatius Secondary School in Region 9; this has placed the school among those with the highest achievement of 100 percent pass rates in six subjects.
This was noted by Minister of Education Shaik Baksh in his remarks at the school’s graduation ceremony last Friday when he acknowledged its excellent performance in the sciences.
The results reflected creditable performances in Geography, Agricultural Science, Integrated Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. In addition, its 2011 enrolment of 726 will see the school attaining a Grade A standard.
He attributed the 91 percent pass rate in Biology, 78 in Chemistry and 64 in Physics to the dedication and commitment of trained teachers at the school, along with the support of government, which he said will be continued.
This is particularly remarkable and encouraging because of the years performances in natural sciences have been problematic. It is hoped that this positive trend will continue.