THE availability of secondary education in the interior regions in the past was almost non-existent. But that reality has significantly changed under the current Administration, with students today accessing education at many secondary institutions.

In Region 9, for instance, the PPP/C Government has built three large secondary schools, at Annai, Aishalton, and recently, Sand Creek, all equipped with modern dormitory facilities to cater for students who live far off. It rebuilt the St. Ignatius High School and constructed a huge dormitory. That institution is now named the St Ignatius Secondary School.
The construction of schools in the hinterland not only ensures that the foundation for sustained economic growth and national development is laid, but leads to reduction of poverty and inequality, improving health and the overall social well-being of the nation.
In 2009, the Cabinet approved $77.7M for the construction of Sand Creek Secondary School in South Central Rupununi, Region 9. That decision hinged on the government’s ardent intent to consistently improve the state of secondary education in the region.
The school which officially opened its doors on September 3, 2012, just in time for the new school term, currently accommodates 88 students, 49 of whom are boys. These students hail from Sawariwau, Katoonarib, Shiriri, Rupunau and Sand Creek villages.
These students and those before them would have had to receive their secondary education at the other secondary schools in the region, which would have seen them travelling for long distances to and from school.
To some extent that posed a challenge to students’ punctuality and even the completion rate of secondary education. However, with the existence of the new school, the students are much closer to their homes.
Six teachers, including the head teacher and two Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) officers, are responsible for the delivery of education at the school.
In the 2012 national budget, funding was made available for the construction of a dormitory, and a science and information technology laboratory at the school.
The school, a two-storeyed building, has 15 classrooms, two laboratories, an administrative office, Home Economics and Industrial Arts divisions and a computer room. Housing is also provided for teachers.
Apart from the academic components, the students are engaged in a sheep rearing project and will soon be involved in cattle rearing, with support from the village council.