ONE hundred and forty students of the Ulele Primary school in Karawab Village, Pomeroon-Supenaam, will now benefit from free transportation to school, after the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs delivered a brand new 15 horsepower boat engine to the community on Tuesday.

During a government outreach programme last year, the Karawab residents had requested an engine. They explained that students had to paddle long distances each day to get to school. Only an engine was required since the school already has a boat.

During the simple presentation ceremony, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon. Sydney Allicock, noted that the region has been producing exceptional pupils countrywide at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and the Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC).  He assured that the government will continue to support the students through various programmes including the Five-Bs initiative (free bicycles, boats, buses, books, boots) and the hot meals and uniform programmes.

The Minister noted that these programmes have increased pupils’ attendance, leading to improved academic performance throughout the country.  “Take good care of it [boat engine]; use it for the benefit of education and any other emergency. We need to see better results from this school,” the minister charged the teachers. He also reminded that over the next ten years – Decade of Development — the government will continue to place a heavy focus on education and ensuring that each child has equal access to education regardless of their location. Minister Allicock was, at the time, visiting the area for a community engagement at the neighbouring Kabakaburi Village. (DPI)