EDUCATION Minister Priya Manickchand has said that, despite the many challenges faced by President’s College (PC), it has continued to evolve as a premier education institution in Guyana, and the Government continues to invest significantly in the school.

She made these remarks on Thursday, while addressing the audience at the school’s 28th orientation exercise to welcome the 2013/2014 batch of new students, when students and parents from as far as the hinterland were in attendance.
Minister Manickchand alluded to the fact that, in 1985, only 11 subjects were offered at the school, as opposed to 29 in 2013, and she opined that investments in PC are yielding tangible results and may be justified.
“From 2007 to 2012, 100 percent of the students writing 14 subjects passed. Of the 29 subjects written, 14 of them got a pass rate of 100 percent; 3 of them 99 percent; 5 of them between 90 and 99 percent; 4 of them in the 80s; 2 of them in the 70s. The lowest passing rate of 67.5 percent was in French.
“In 2007, 20 percent passed French; in 2012, 100 percent passed French; so, even in this subject, there was excellence,” she highlighted.
She said that, in 2013, the budgetary allocation is $217,073M and Capital investment is $24M, which amounts to a grand total of Gy$241,073M; and this year, each student is expected to receive benefits of $391,000, representing the highest amount of resources, moneywise, that this school has ever received.
Manickchand showed great appreciation for the hard working staff at the college, commending their dedication and steadfast commitment to maintaining PC as a true ‘school of excellence’ in Guyana.
“This is a school of excellence, and its records over the years would have shown that the students who have come in here have groomed themselves and have been guided to be the best that they can be,” she said.
She took the opportunity to introduce the new Board of Governors of PC to the children and parents gathered. The board comprises the Chairman, Dr. Mahender Sharma; Deputy Chairman, Ms Francesca Vieira; and staff and student representatives (both of whom are to be named).
She urged the students gathered to be the best they can be, to make use of the opportunity of the high quality of education being afforded them, and to do their best to further enhance the college.
“It is your duty now to take PC to the next level. This can happen once you apply yourselves and pay attention to your school work…I encourage you not to be totally focused on academics alone…pay attention to the other things that are happening in this school: the elocution, the sporting activities, the debates, the various clubs. Look after those amongst you who might not be doing their best,” she advised.
Manickchand told the students gathered that they have the duty to make sure they open their hearts and minds to become the people of character who will lead Guyana tomorrow.
She particularly praised the fathers who attended the orientation exercise, and said research is clear that parents who were involved in their children’s lives will be rewarded with children who excel in every field.
She spoke at length to the parents about what being a good parent is, and how that might be achieved; and offered those present Government’s commitment to ensuring that the school remains a school of excellence, and that the students’ needs continue to be met at the highest possible standard.
Meanwhile, the orientation exercise provided an opportunity for persons gathered to learn about the ways in which students entering the college can prepare for a smooth transition from primary to secondary school, and be successfully integrated into the student life at PC.
The forum outlined the high standards required by this school of excellence, and encouraged students and parents alike to ensure they endeavour to emulate and maintain the high standards for which PC is known.
Many of the parents gathered expressed heartfelt gratitude to the teachers and the Education Ministry for facilitating such an important orientation exercise. There was abundant praise for the sagacious advice received from the two main speakers, and much appreciation for the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the buildings, the environment, and aspects of the rich cultural traditions that obtain at PC.
Parents also said that after they had read about the school in the press, they had been reluctant to have their children attend the institution; but they are glad that they did allow their children to accept the places offered at the college, because their first hand experience is totally different from what has been reported in the press.