MINISTER of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, said yesterday that the Hinterland Scholarship Programme is a commendable one which the ministry will continue to provide to those who meet the eligibility criteria.

The minister made this disclosure at a press conference in the ministry’s boardroom on Thomas and Quamina Streets in the city.
There were 62 students graduating under the programme last year, including those attending secondary schools and technical institutes.
She said there was a pass rate of 86% among the 40 students who wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination last year, and she took the opportunity to congratulate them on their achievements.
“This demonstrates that, given the opportunity, which otherwise may not have been afforded through a scholarship, that Amerindian students can excel,” the minister stated.
In addition to the academic opportunities afforded to these students, Minister Sukhai said they were also able to socialise with the wider Guyanese school population, including students from all across the hinterland, and this builds students with very strong characters.
Since the scholarship programme was introduced, one of its main objectives is to assist students in maintaining their cultural traditions and to realise their academic goals, in an environment that contributes to their social development.
Meanwhile, the minister noted that the hinterland scholarship students dormitory, at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, continues to be one of the leading dormitories in the country, and the infrastructure is still in its pristine form.
She related that this is the only dormitory that falls under the direct responsibility of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, and last year they began work to enhance the environment.
According to her, approximately $12M is being expended on this project, and works to be done include land filling.
Later, students will be involved in hydroponic agriculture, and there will be facilities for outdoor sports.
The dormitory was commissioned on September 3, 2010, and the students began occupying the dormitory in January 2011.