– inaugural Education Expo on cards for 2019

FOR years there has always been talk about government not doing enough for sport, particularly where the hosting of national school championships is concerned.
Well, one can safely say that that’s all in the past now, as there’s a new wind a-blowing over at the Ministry of Education: some $50M has been set aside for the hosting of national school championships and other events in the year ahead.

The announcement was made on Wednesday by subject minister Nicolette Henry when Consideration of the Estimates of the 2019 National Budget continued before the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly.

The events at reference, according to Minister Henry, are those usually undertaken by the Ministry of Education such as the hosting of Education Month and Mashramani.
And, taking up her predecessor Priya Manickchand on her remark that this year’s Education Month celebrations were low-key, Minister Henry said that on the contrary, they were not only “fitting”, but the budgetary allocations were enough to offset the requisite expenses.
What’s more, a new feature in next year’s budget, the minister said, is the allocation of monies for hosting the country’s first-ever Education Expo.

Harking back to the opening of the 58th National Schools Swimming, Cycling and Athletics Championships at the national track and field facility at Leonora, West Coast of Demerara late last month, an event she described as “the pinnacle of the schools’ sporting calendar,” Minister Henry said:
“This championship is a sports scout’s paradise, because it showcases our top athletes, who I know will go on to represent our country both regionally and internationally.”
The event was eventually won by District 10, Upper Demerara/Kwakwani.