-The Leguan Secondary School and Leguan Community Library
IN an effort to encourage entrepreneurship and early responsibilities of holding a job, the Leguan Secondary School has incorporated the rearing of meat birds and farming as part of its curriculum.
According to acting headteacher Sarita Dhanessar, the students have different abilities. With a total of 164 on roll, it is the only secondary school on the island and the teaching administration believes that exploring the capabilities of the students is vital.
She has been there for the past 23 years, and she is the head of the Mathematics Department and is also the acting headteacher,
Although she attended Zeeburg Secondary School, East Bank Essequibo, Leguan Secondary School is home and it is a place where she wants to be moulding the minds of students to excel in their pursuit of academic achievements for a bright future.
Leguan Secondary School is located within walking distance on the main access road not far from the stelling, and it is strategically located for easy access.
In the compound the Community Library is housed, and this facility is managed by the regional administration, Region Three (West Demerara-Essequibo Islands) and is separate from the school, but students utilise the library for research purposes.
Dhanessar told the Pepperpot Magazine that they are boosting learning through information technology and have introduced it to Grades seven and eight, and there are plans on stream to extend it to the entire school population.
“In some subjects, we have all the textbooks and materials to promote learning, and with the resources we have, it is adequate at this time,” she said.
Leguan Secondary School has produced top performers over the years, and that has not changed within recent times; as a result, they have had many success stories.
Some past students have become lawyers, doctors, medical professionals, teachers, among others, but often they would leave the island for better job opportunities.
Dhanessar added that some would return to give back to society and serve their community.
The headteacher stated that they have had students writing and excelling in 12 subjects and with the 21 teachers they have on staff, they are more than a capable bunch who share their expertise with students in the various classes.
Leguan Secondary School has a farm of vegetables, and another section houses the chicken pens with meat birds, all made possible by students through the guidance of teachers.
“We want the students to become responsible early to decide on their career paths; as such, we have these ventures as part of the school syllabus to serve as a guide,” she said.
Leguan Secondary has a canteen which is conveniently located in the compound, and it is one of the cleanest schools which has a lot of plants to enhance the environment and promote a green Guyana.
The Leguan Community Library
Diana Li has a very important role to play in her community, since she is the only librarian on the island and manages the place.
She has the assistance of a charwoman, and even though the facility is a bit outdated, it is well-kept and the dozens of books on the shelves are in order.
It is an airy, wooden, flat building that houses the Leguan Community Library, and it is serving the community but is basically under-utilised, except for schoolchildren.
The library is in the compound of the Leguan Secondary School, and it has a seating area with tables and chairs for added comfort and a fan.
The Leguan Community Library is open to the public from 08:00hrs to 16:30hrs on Mondays to Fridays.
They have a collection of Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Harley Quinn, dictionary, thrillers, mysteries and other books in several sections, all neatly arranged.
All the books in the library were donated or either sourced through the regional administration, but on some days there are hardly any visitors to the facility.
Li told the Pepperpot Magazine that she has a deep love for books and when she got the job, she was elated because being surrounded by hundreds of books is fascinating.
At work, she gets to read and broaden her scope, and since reading is fundamental, she is on the right track.
The Leguan Community Library is a cosy place, and it has some members, so books are borrowed and returned.
There is also a need for an internet-ready computer for the students and other learners to utilise during their visit to the public facility, mostly to do research and homework.
“I have been here for the past four years, and I like assisting the visitors to look for books and to even make recommendations to them,” she said.
Li disclosed that the locals would visit to donate books, which is a good gesture and they are always willing to accept more books to stock the shelves in the library.
“Living here is nice. I like the quietness, the breeze and the space. It is a sanctified place because the people are all doing something to earn and it is one of the safest places to reside,” she said.
