IN the wake of her recent visit to the New Opportunity Corps (NOC), Onderneeming, Essequibo, Minister within the Ministry of Education, with responsibility for the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, Nicolette Henry, declared that she will set up a Task Force to address the issues currently existing at the institution.Speaking with the media yesterday, Minister Henry, who visited the institution on June 4, and had a first-hand look at what currently obtains, said, “There is some work to be done there, but it needs to be done in a strategic manner.”
She said a Task Force will be put in place to address not only issues currently existing at the institution, but also to identify areas for improvement and bring those improvements to the fore.
Under the previous Government, a special commission was set up in response to disturbances at the institution on August 22 and 23, 2012, resulting in damage to the tailor shop and one of the female dormitories.
“After visiting the NOC, I thought I needed to see what the report of the Board of Inquiry would be,” Minister Henry said, clarifying that though she has had the opportunity to look at the report, she has not been able to review it to “the extent that I would want to elaborate on those recommendations coming out of it.”
The Minister did however say that the Ministry will be having some follow up almost “immediately” to look at what was not addressed under the report.
“Like other institutions that have had their fair share of problems, there are opportunities for improvement and we intend to address those very speedily,” the Minister said.
She identified broad areas for redress as those of education, skills training and discipline. (GINA)