By Francis Quamina Farrier
AS a regular reader of my weekly feature articles here in the Chronicle Pepperpot Magazine, I am sure that you realise that I have an avid interest in Guyana’s contemporary history. In this article, you have yet another example of my undying love for some of the less earth-shaking events here in Guyana, but events which in effect, tally up the progress and development of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. As the beautiful little song says, “Little things mean a lot.” And, as the well-known Guyanese creolese proverb states, “One-one dutty build dam.” So here now, is my feature which exemplifies that centuries-old Guyanese saying about little events which help build a country into a cohesive nation.
At the side of my computer, as I write this feature, is the printed programme of an event which took place a decade ago, on Wednesday, November 28, 2007. On the front page of that printed programme, is the statement, “WISBURG SECONDARY SCHOOL Commissioning Ceremony”.

I was present at that ceremony which was held a decade ago, at that school, which is perched high on a hill at the western boundary of Linden Town, in Region Number 10. The location of the school is also about 50 or more feet above sea level. The fact that there are still so many Guyanese who continue to say that, “Guyana is below sea level” needs to be corrected, since they say, it is only one-third of the correct and full statement, which students in British Guiana were taught in the colonial times; the correct and full statement which is a fact, is as follows; “The coastland of Guyana, is below sea level, at high tide.”
A decade ago, quite a number of VIPs from Region 10, as well as from Georgetown, were in attendance at that commissioning ceremony. They included Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Education Shaik Baksh, Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingo, British High Commissioner Fraser Wheeler and Head of the Department of International Development (DFID), Nicola Jenns. Each one made brief remarks, but Prime Minister Samuel Hinds delivered the feature address. Cultural presentations were also performed by students of the school. Performing the duty of Chairperson of the event, was the headmistress, Carlyn Canterbury.

The construction and commissioning of that impressive school building were partly financed by the Government and people of the United Kingdom, with the plan to afford more students of Linden and beyond, the benefit of easily accessible higher education. As such, I remained interested to see how well the human factor responded over the first 10 years. Even while at that commissioning ceremony, I planned to return in 10 years’ time, and do an updated report. Now I have done just that.
Last Tuesday, November 28, 2017, I am happy to say that I visited with the staff and pupils of the Wisburg Secondary School. There was no anniversary programme. It was just another day; except that one person who had travelled all the way from Georgetown, and who was there at the commissioning ceremony 10 years ago, was back to report on the progress made over the past decade. However, the next day, there was a grand graduation ceremony at the school.

Since its commissioning, there has been quite a number of achievements at the Wisburg Secondary School, which at present, has a population of 554 students and a staff of 49. Of special note, is the ongoing discipline at that school. Yes, there have been some incidents, such as damage to property by a few of the students, but in every case, parents were made to provide the funds for the necessary repairs. While there on Tuesday last, I observed a very professionally-handled incident of student discipline. Two students who were in a slight physical conflict were each given the opportunity to state their case, and discipline was later dispensed.

During Jubilee Year, 2016, then acting headmaster, Samuel Razak had organised what was a most impressive celebration, including a special Flag Raising Ceremony. There was also a Tree Planting Project during the Jubilee Year. Over the years, the school also has an Annual Inter-House Sporting programme during Education Month. Disciplines such as football, cricket, basket Ball, and athletics, which include swimming, are engaged in. Beyond Linden, students have performed creditably at the Carifesta Games. Compton Caesar and Dessana Skeete have both won Gold Medals at that prestigious regional sporting event.
Of particular note, is the school’s playfield, which 10 years ago was all sand. Grass has been cultivated on it, and it is now a beauty to behold, and also comfortable for the students to play their various games. Quite a number of the students of the Wisburg Secondary School have also done well academically, with a few going on to even higher institutions of learning.

I have to announce that based on what I observed and have been told of the progress over the past decade, especially in discipline , academic achievement and sporting successes, I am obliged to award them an unofficial “A Plus” Grade and wish that school which is on high ground above sea level, even higher achievements.
Before leaving for my return journey to Georgetown, and though I am age 79, I boldly announced that I plan to return in another 10 years’ time, on the occasion of the school’s 20th anniversary. That drew some laughter from those who heard me. But, who knows! At present, Guyana’s oldest male citizen, Gladstone Mack, is 106 years of age, and still going strong. In his National Budget for 2018, Minister of Finance Hon. Winston Jordan had some encouraging news for Guyana’s elders.