-slams criticisms of Amerindians’ access to education
AMERINDIAN Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai has said the Opposition’s concern pertaining to Amerindian students’ access to quality education under the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government is far from the reality of what exists, and is totally different to what obtained under the PNC.The Minister, during her budget debate presentation Thursday, pointed to the numerous Amerindians accessing teacher training at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).
Minister Sukhai called on the National Assembly to remember that at the CPCE, under the People’s National Congress (PNC), enrolment of Amerindian teachers was minimal, and hinterland schools depended on coastland teachers. Since the PPP/C took office, there has been a complete turn-around.
“Today, if you visit the hinterland and go to the nursery, primary, or to the 13 secondary schools…the majority of those manning, administrating and delivering education are Amerindian teachers,” the Minister noted.
More Amerindians also have access to other forms of higher education, through the Cuban Scholarship programme. Minister Sukhai referred to the story of Marta George, a student of the Waramadong Secondary school, who was able to benefit from this provision and who successfully finished her medical degree in Cuba and earlier this year returned to serve her community.
“Is not this evidence of access to quality education that the PPP/C government has pioneered? Even the honourable member, Dawn Hastings, who sits on the opposite (side of the House) is the beneficiary of the same quality education,” she noted.
Also underscored was that Amerindians for more than 20 years have been accessing quality education under the Hinterland Scholarship programme. The programme has produced numerous hinterland students. The total investment in the programme amounts to over $350M, Minister Sukhai said. For 2014, an estimated 470 students will benefit from the allocation of $66.6M as proposed in the budget for the programme.
In addition to this n programme, Amerindian students are benefitting from other initiatives such as the school feeding, hot meal and uniform programmes.
Hinterland students will benefit from the Government’s provision this year of the $10,000 cash grant to the parents of every child attending a nursery, primary, or secondary school in the public education system. This will amount to $300M more investment for Amerindian students.
Minister Sukhai also addressed criticisms made by APNU Member, Dr. George Norton, on the failure of the primary health care system in Amerindian communities. Recognising that there are weaknesses, she pointed out that government continues to provide additional services to hinterland and Amerindian patients.
She noted that under the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, an estimated 7,000 patients received subsidies support, free meals and accommodation, free medical supplies, transportation, post operation treatment and patient care from its programme administered at the Amerindian Hostel on Princes Street.
Minister Sukhai noted this is one programme being administered, and which has enhanced and complemented the health care services available in the hinterland. (GINA)