MINISTER of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally, said on Monday that she was “particularly proud” to be presenting the 2016 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) top performers in Region 10, Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice, with bicycles and backpacks.The Minister congratulated Region Ten for doing extremely well at the NGSA, having four of its top students earning places at Queen’s College; 10 at the Bishops’ High; four at Saint Stanislaus College, and three at St. Roses High.

Twenty-one students were selected to be honoured for sterling performance; and the one who did not attend today’s ceremony will receive his bicycle and bag at a later date.

“Top students, top schools,” Minister Ally said, as teachers, parents, students and other supporters erupted into loud cheers during the ceremony, held at the Department of Education at Republic Avenue in Linden.

Minister Ally noted that this is the first time in many years that the top regional performers are being honoured, and she lauded President David Granger’s vision to make Guyana “an education nation”.

Since commencement of the Five Bs Programme (Boats, Buses, Bicycles plus Breakfast and Books), 10 buses, nine boats and hundreds of bicycles have been donated to children and communities, all aimed at reducing inequalities to education, she said.

“I want to say to you, Region Ten, that you are very fortunate, as you are enjoying many of the ‘Bs’. You have enjoyed boats: three boats have been allocated to this region, Berbice River, Demerara River and Essequibo River, because we recently gave [one to] River’s View…. You already have one bus…and you are now fortunate to get bicycles and bags,” the Minister said.

She charged the gathering to pool their resources to develop their town, region and country. “I ask you, Region Ten, to become builders: another ‘B’ in this region…Linden is doing well,” she said.

The Minister said that while there was much furore when the Government stopped the poorly administered distribution of the $10,000 school voucher programme operated by the previous administration, “It is not about the $10,000, it is about providing a better life for our people… It is about providing opportunities for our young people to be better citizens of this country,” she said.

Minister Ally also extended thanks to His Worship, Mayor Carwyn Holland, who advanced the Ministry’s plans to reward the top students in his constituency by donating a number of bicycles for distribution.

Mayor Holland recalled that he had once benefited from support during his school years, and he said he has been inspired by the President’s Five Bs Programme. Further, he announced that he would establish the Cecil Holland Fund for Top Students in memory of his father, who died recently and who had been a source of support to one of the top students honoured today.

The Mayor also pledged to provide the bicycle for the honouree who was not present at today’s event.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Renis Morian said he was pleased with Government’s efforts to make education accessible to all the nation’s children. “I’m very much pleased to know that we have a government that is pursuing education; that is supporting all initiatives that will lend to the extension of education among our children and young people. I’m extremely happy,” he said.

Other attendees at the gathering included Ms. Keane Adams, Regional Education Officer (ag), who represented Regional Education Officer; Ms. Marcia Paddy-Andrews; Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Ms. Valerie Patterson; Member of Parliament Mr. Jermaine Figueira; Ms. Sandra Adams, Director of Community Development and RDC Councillor; Ms. Maylene Stephens, Deputy Regional Executive Officer; Ms. Lana Mosley, who chaired the programme; councillors of the RDC and of the Mayor and Town Council.

Ms. Delcia Casim wowed the audience with her rendition of Whitney Houston’s “The Greatest Love of All”. The gathering also sung “Let us co-operate for Guyana” as the spirit of nationalism permeated the ceremony. (Ministry of the Presidency)