Minister Sukhai challenges hinterland students to be the best
GUYANA has seen the establishment of the 13th Amerindian school in the vast hinterland since the advent of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government. Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Pauline Sukhai made the disclosure while addressing students of the St. Ignatius Secondary School, in Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), during a visit to the Amerindian Dormitory in Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, yesterday.

She said these interventions by Government are to ensure that equality is achieved in every aspect of development, including education, a provision to the country’s people regardless of ethnicity or colour.
Sukhai said the Liliendaal Dormitory is the fulfillment of a long awaited dream for many hinterland students who travel to Georgetown to study.

According to her, the facility would make the students’ transition slightly easier, as they would be in an environment living with and interacting with children from other Amerindian communities.
The minister told the students that, while there may be some amount of restrictions at the school, that is not to stifle them but to merely uphold a leading reputation that could be replicated countrywide.
Sukhai urged the children to take hold of these opportunities since they can serve as a foundation builder to see the youth of today being the leaders of tomorrow and taking Guyana to higher heights in nation building.

FULL ADVANTAGE
“We need young people like you to lead this country …we want you to benefit from what is being offered by Government. These facilities were not established overnight and they didn’t come easy either. So, now that you have them at your full disposal, you should take full advantage of them,” she encouraged.
Sukhai challenged the students to always strive for the best, making sure that they are considered among the ‘best of the best’.
She said they should aspire to get into the University of Guyana (UG) and other tertiary institutions and keep studying.
Additionally, Sukhai assured them that the staff at the dormitory will, at no time, treat them badly and said everyone becomes one big family after they have settled in.
She said the aim is to give those in the hinterland the opportunity to build themselves and grow towards development.
“We want this to be a facility that is identified for its standards …at no time you are to feel that you will be treated with less love when you come here. The staff here is very attentive and loving and they will take good care of you,” Sukhai stated.
Apart from the dormitory, the students also visited the Aquatic Centre, the National Communications Network (NCN) and several other significant places in Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica).
The school tour is an annual event organised by the teachers for the school’s fourth form students to various regions of Guyana.
The $95.4M dormitory for Hinterland Scholarship Students was commissioned in September 2010, by former President Bharrat Jagdeo.
It houses 120 persons, 72 girls and 48 boys.