THE coalition has always emphasised that every Guyanese should have equal access to all government services regardless of who they are, or, where they live. This admirable ideal of equitable opportunities, of course, includes access to education and government, to its credit, is delivering on that promise.

Sadly, the previous People’s Progressive Party (PPP) regime had always callously neglected the needs of hinterland residents. Residents were regarded as “bush people,” and relegated to the status of second-class citizens. Fortunately, after the election of the David Granger government, all of that changed. The peoples of the hinterland, comprising some 100,000 residents were finally given the recognition, attention, and respect that they deserve. Importantly, they were afforded the opportunity to educate themselves, thereby giving them the chance to obtain high-quality, sustainable jobs.

President David Granger at the launch of Heritage Month 2019, said, “Measurable progress is evident in the field of education. Plans are on stream to continue improving hinterland education over the next 10 years in what I have dubbed the ‘Decade of development’, from 2020 to 2029.”

The Head of State in his address underscored that, “Education is the cornerstone of government’s plans to ensure greater equality between the hinterland and the coastland, to reduce poverty, and to provide greater economic opportunities for indigenous communities and peoples.”

The education policy aims at ensuring that every child has access to a well-equipped school, said the president. President Granger reminded his audience that his government inherited a dysfunctional education system. He said some hinterland schools and dormitories were in deplorable state, while adding that substance abuse had penetrated some schools, while there were allegations of physical violence and sexual abuse. He reminded the audience that some students had lost their lives.

He pointed to the incidents which occurred at the Port Kaituma Secondary School in March 2010, when students had to be sent home because no food was available under the PPP.

In the case of the Three-Mile Secondary School, in September 2009, 11 students were rushed to the Bartica Regional Hospital suffering from suspected food poisoning; at Aishalton Secondary School, in September 2011, the Ministry of Education was forced to launch an inquiry into allegations of sexual molestation of students; at the Waramadong Secondary School, in August 2008, three pre-teen girls perished in a fire which destroyed their dormitory; and in November 2008, there were reports of substance abuse by students.

President Granger also mentioned the death of a nine-year-old girl who fell into the defective pit latrine of her school in September 2008; as well of the students of the Kato Primary School, in May 2014, being forced to fetch logs to cook meals, to name a few incidents. He said hinterland education is still far from perfect, but has come a long way from “those grim, grisly days” as he noted that “We are making progress.”

He said parents and residents no longer need to protest against the conditions at hinterland dormitories and schools. Students, the President said, now feel safer and are more comfortable because of the interventions and improvements which have been made over the past 50 months.

“Investments in infrastructure and information technology, the expansion of the school-feeding scheme and the provision of transportation and scholarships have helped to reduce the number of hinterland school dropouts from 10 primary school students per week in 2014 to an average of three students per week in 2017. An average of 17 secondary school students dropped out weekly from hinterland schools in 2014; this has declined to an average of five per week in 2017,” President Granger said.

Hinterland students are benefitting from access to information and communication technology (ICT); ICT hubs have been established in 171 communities. Additionally, learning resource centres have been established at numerous communities. The Head of State noted too, that access to accommodation for students is being improved and expanded through the provision of residential services for 2,240 secondary school students in the four hinterland regions.

The hinterland schools feeding programme has also been expanded. More than 20,000 students now benefit from some form of school-feeding in 216 hinterland nursery and primary schools. President Granger noted too, that access to schools for hinterland students has been improved through the Public Education Transportation Service (PETS).

This initiative has provided buses, boats and bicycles to help children to attend school.
Boats are transporting children to school, free of cost and PETS has distributed 4,000 free bicycles. The Head of State said too, that hinterland students continue to benefit from government scholarships. “Education will be a cornerstone of the ‘Decade’ which will continue the task of repositioning education which commenced four years ago. Education is now moving on the correct path. More than G$170 Billion has been expended on education over the past four years.”

President Granger explained that the Decade of Development will also protect citizens’ right to universal primary, secondary and tertiary education. “Guyana’s petroleum profits will be deployed, in part, to improve education, including and especially hinterland education. He emphasised that free education is mandated by the Constitution of Guyana at Article 27, which states: “Every citizen has the right to free education from nursery to university, as well as at non-formal places where opportunities are provided for education and training.”

The President gave the assurance that indigenous people will not be left behind when petroleum production commences next year; the national, natural resources wealth will be developed in a manner to ensure greater equality between the hinterland and the coastland, and there will be adequate provision to strengthen hinterland development, particularly through greater investment in education, interventions and improvements.

“Education is the great equaliser. It is the key to reversing hinterland underdevelopment. It will unlock opportunities for all and help to provide the skills for development,” President Granger concluded, while adding that hinterland education is on the right path. Clearly, the administration continues to advance its vision for an ‘education nation, while, in contrast, the PPP did nothing. Can Guyanese ever trust the PPP to govern again?