IN continuation of its humanitarian assistance to teachers facing dire circumstances, the Ministry of Education (MoE), on Thursday, made a monetary donation to Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) student, and President of the Student Council, James Osborne, whose home was destroyed in a fire last month.
Osbourne was one of seven persons affected by the fire which had occurred on February 13, at Lot 204, 19th Street, Dazzell Housing Scheme. Also affected by the fire was Osbourne’s sister, Johan Osborne, a Mathematics teacher attached to Queen’s College, and 13-year-old Jarrell Toney, a student of St Rose’s High.
The ministry had already previously reached out to Johan and assisted her and her son with a laptop, food and household items, along with a financial contribution.
The St. Rose’s High School Board of Governors, students and staff had also made a donation of several items to Toney.
On Thursday, making the donation to James on behalf of the MoE was the Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson.
According to a statement from the MoE, Dr. Hutson emphasised that the MoE values its teachers and saw the need to empathise and reach out to them whenever they are facing difficulties.
He said that though the contribution cannot replace what was lost, it can be utilised by Osborne on his journey to recovery.
Aside from the Osbourne family, in January, the MoE had also made a donation to a West Bank Demerara primary school teacher, Renita Joseph, who had also lost her home to fire. Joseph was also a final year student at the University of Guyana pursuing a degree in education. She was given a laptop and other items and monetary assistance.