THREE schools located in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) were crowned the ‘best kept school’ in the region following the assessment of a competition which was spearheaded by the Ministry of Natural Resources.Emerging victorious were Hope Town Primary School, Number Eight (8) Primary School and Mahaicony Primary School, which gained 175, 165 and 160 marks respectively.
The criteria which were employed to assess the performance of each school included: litter-free environment and cleanliness of school yard and building; awareness posters of a clean environment; ‘Go Green’ flora project initiatives; cleanliness of classrooms and staff furniture; and the cleanliness of the uniforms of teachers and pupils. 40 marks were awarded for each category, which brought the total to 200 marks.
Presentations of prizes, which included a new computer for the first-place winner, were made during a National Youth Environmental forum which was held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre on Friday. The prizes were handed over to the Head-teachers and pupils of each of the schools by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman.
Environmental Awareness Coordinator at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Dr. Latchmin Punalall, explained that the competition was held as a component of the ministry’s “A Clean Environment” project, which is currently in its execution phase.
She noted that the best-kept school initiative is a pilot project, which was launched in Region 5 on March 12 of this year, and will be replicated in the other regions since it has registered success.
She was disappointed at the fact that no Secondary School had made the top three, as she emphasised that students in the upper levels of the formal school system ought to lead by example. She did not discredit the fact however, that those at the primary level had worked tirelessly to ensure that their school registered its name among the top performing schools in the region.
Further, she urged students who were present to adopt the approach of ensuring the environment around them is kept clean, not only in schools, but wherever they dwell.