IMPROVED access to primary education is expected in the village of Kokerite, Region One (Barima-Waini), as the construction of a $12 million primary school has started. The ongoing works include the construction of a $4 million teachers’ quarters, which would bring the total expenditure to $16 million. Work on the facility is scheduled to be completed before the end of May. Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, during a recent four-day outreach to Region One, used the opportunity to inspect the ongoing work at the facility.
Following the inspection, he told residents that the move to construct a primary school in the village was another demonstration of the government’s commitment to ensuring that youth receive their education in an environment that is conducive to learning.
“I hope that it is being done to the quality that the village requires, and we also hope that most of the materials being supplied come from the community of Kokerite.
“The reason I am saying so is that when we make these investments, we would like villages to benefit from it so that people can get employed and get money and businesses can be done,” he said.

Two villagers were employed to work on the school. However, the minister said more persons will have to be employed, and local materials will also have to be procured for the construction. This approach, he said, would create jobs, boosting the community’s economy and the country’s, as a whole.
Minister Dharamlall also pledged to explore the possibility of constructing a sanitary block for the school. Toshao of Kokerite, Sherman Adams, thanked the minister for responding to the community’s request for a new school, noting that the government has aided development in the village.
“It has been hard for this community…I must say that no member of government has ever visited this village since 2015 and so I am happy that you are here to not only listen to our needs but answer them,” he said. Adams used the opportunity to request the government’s assistance to provide a solar water pump, concrete walkway and the establishment of a guest house to boost tourism in the community. Minister Dharamlall said the requests are not unreasonable for a community that seeks further enhancement and as such, the matter will be raised with the relevant officials.
Established in 1953, Kokerite is a riverine community located some 60 miles up the Barima River, and is considered an ecotourism paradise. (DPI)