By Michel Outridge

MEMBERS of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday afternoon cut the ribbon to declare open a library at La Parfaite Harmonie Primary School, West Bank Demerara.In the absence of Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, Divisional Commander Stephen Mansell cut the ribbon and declared the library open, following a ceremony punctuated by prayers, cultural items, and brief remarks.

The library is equipped with books, furniture and desktop computers, and these have been made possible with assistance from the GPF and other stakeholders, including the Region Three Administration, several businessmen, parents and teachers.

The project was undertaken by the Top Cop after a request was made by the teachers of the school, and Senior Superintendent Mansell was mandated to tile, paint and construct the library.

Giving an overview of the project, Head Teacher Shaundell Chichester told the large gathering that the school was re-graded from C to B and it was thought necessary to have a library to promote literacy.

The school was commissioned on September 6, 2010, and its population has grown. Presently, 616 pupils and 24 teachers occupy the school, she said.

Chichester said it was thought that a library was paramount, after a fire had destroyed a section of the school which housed the reading room, and the school’s reading capability went below grade; thus something had to be done.

The library started as a teachers’ project, but assistance was needed, thus the school reached out to the GPF and other stakeholders to support the cause; and as such, the project became a reality with the opening after weeks of hard work.

The ‘D’ Division police took the project in hand, and a team of ranks began construction of the library. Region Three Executive Officer Dennis Jaikaran pitched in with manpower to tile the floor and paint the walls, and several businessmen assisted by grilling the library and donating furniture. Food for the Poor also helped by giving seven desktop computers; Courts gave a television, a furniture store donated a DVD player, and teachers and students from Forms One to Six did drawings to beautify the walls.

The Region Three REO, as well as parents and the police, also donated a quantity of books. Although not yet fully equipped, the library has been opened.

In brief remarks, REO Dennis Jaikaran lauded the ‘D’ Division police for their effort, and said he was pleased to learn that the school was re-graded in such a short time. He expressed hoped that it would soon be an A grade school.
He was also happy with the teachers’ inputs, since reading is a most important element in the life of any person, and libraries should not only be filled with books, but can also be termed a resource centre for research.

Jaikaran told the gathering that he would ensure that the police in that corridor be allocated a plot of land for their activities, since he wants to bring about development. As such, he has pledged his continued support for such projects.

District Education Officer Davindra Persaud, who spoke on behalf of Regional Education Officer Penelope Mc Intosh, said he was very pleased with the opening of the library, and that libraries should be established at all schools, to promote reading and literacy.

He is of the view that all school libraries should be outfitted with auto-catalogue, so that books can be easily traced and borrowed; and he said that computers with high Internet speed should be a part of all school libraries to foster higher learning.

Commander Stephen Mansell said he was mandated by the TOP Cop to undertake the project three months ago, and he commended his team for their work.
He said it was challenging, but in the end the library was constructed and outfitted with the basic things for its opening, with assistance from several stakeholders.

Mansell spoke of the many projects that were being undertaken by the police in ‘D’ Division to equip youths with life skills, so they can be gainfully employed.