LEADER of the Opposition, Brigadier David Granger (rtd.) on Sunday, in a press statement, made another call on the Government of Guyana to provide road and riverine transportation for school children, particularly those in rural and hinterland communities.

According to the statement, the call by Granger comes against the backdrop of demands made to Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill when he met residents of Coomaka, Elizabeth Maria -Three Friends, Old England, and Nothinghamshire.
“Residents complained about poor transportation service for school-age children. According to a GINA report, residents “implored the Minister to intervene as they complained that during the rainy season children are forced to stay at home because no transportation is available,” the statement said.
However, the Opposition Leader further noted that in instances where children do decide to brave the harsh condition and walk to central Linden to attend school, their parents worry about their safety.
Parents, according to Granger, were reported to have said: “These children walk for miles to go to school and they come home late at nights. If we get a minibus to collect all the school children in the mines it would encourage the children to go to school more.”
Another resident according to the statement had noted that the children in the communities are eager to go to school, but because of bad weather they are forced to stay at home and in some instances miss end-of-term examinations.
As such, the residents had indicated to Minister Edghill, their willingness to ensure that the bus, once provided, will be maintained and used for the purposes intended.
Noting Government’s commitment towards improving the education sector and building the human capital, Minister Edghill said he will make representation to Cabinet for a school bus for the communities.
In addressing the 18th Biennial Delegates Congress of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Granger in July this year called for free transportation, among other things, for schoolchildren. He had made a promise that: “We shall start by ensuring that no child is prevented from attending school because of parental poverty. We shall ensure that every primary school child is transported to school by boat or bus. We shall ensure that every primary school child starts the school day with a healthy breakfast at school. We shall reward every family that keeps its children in school. Protecting children is a PNCR priority.”
Only recently, the Ministry of Transport through Government’s efforts to force minibus operators not to increase their fares had instituted a free “big bus service.” Ten scheduled buses were put into operation, plying routes along the East Bank of Demerara, heading as far as Timehri and routes along the East Coast of Demerara and also to communities on the West Demerara.

(Ravin Singh)