I’M aware of the privileges I have. It’s a result of where I live, my support system (my family) and most importantly, my ability to have freedom of choice. I say this not to boast. Rather, I’d like you all to be aware of the advantageous factors that helped you to excel in education. It’s important to do that before engaging in a conversation that surrounds quality education in Guyana. If we’re not aware of the YOU, there’s no way we can be aware of THEM and lend help when needed.
I was privileged enough to have my mother stay home, away from work until I was six years old to home-school me. I passed to attend St. Rose’s High but due to distance and finances, I attended NAMS. My parents were still privileged, to some extent, to send me to a school that’s half an hour away from where we live. I was privileged to have extra lessons paid for. I was privileged to have a computer with internet access at home. I was privileged enough to have my very own reading corner of books at home. I was privileged to have parents who both completed high school to help me with at-home assignments.
PRIVILEGE is not only defined by money. It’s your resource base, your abilities, your circumstances, your environment, your mindset, your skills, and the good ole “who knows you and who you know.” You see, I’m really getting tired of hearing the “BUT, I worked for the As” line. Y’all need to stop it. I’m not trying to degrade those with quality education. I’m one of those people. What I’m merely trying to say is, every child has his/her advantages and disadvantages to what accounts for their lack of or their abundance of. The moment we realise this as a collective culture, it’s the moment we will realiSe what’s lacking and who it’s lacking for. Education is a right. Every child has a right to access education. When that is taken away, you’re infringing on their rights as a human being; as a Guyanese.
I’ve checked my privileges and I’m ready to have a meaningful conversation on how we can be more inclusive in our education system. Have you?
