-Education Minister says; highlights massive investments in sector
BOTH children and teachers of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are reaping the benefits of the massive investments being injected into their region by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, according to Education Minister, Priya Manickchand.

She made these remarks during an outreach in Karaudarnau, which garnered scores of residents even from neighbouring communities.
“In the three short years that he [President Dr Irfaan Ali] has been President, all of you here could say resoundingly that when you see him or even when you don’t see, you feel President Ali’s presence and service in your village, in your homes, in your schools…” she said.

She added, “…President Ali and the PPP makes sure you are not left behind.”
The Education Minister pointed out the stereotype that followed indigenous people and assured residents that the PPP/C government is committed to not leaving them on the backburners of development.

“In fact, my friends I will tell you this, when we get services, exercise books, textbooks, it comes here first,” she noted.
She further announced the construction of 13 nursery schools in the region, which will begin shortly.
“And when we build those nursery schools, I am told… we will have nursery schools in every single place that we need it in region nine,” she said.

There will also be the building of four new primary schools and four secondary schools in Region Nine.
The secondary schools will be located in the villages of Tabatinga, which will be aimed at tackling the overcrowding at St Ignatius, Nappi, Maruranau and Massara.

“Every child will be able to access a nursery school, every child will be able to access a primary school, every child will be able to access a secondary school and that is putting your children in a place where they could compete with any other child in the world.”
The minister also underscored that with these facilities being built, quality of education is being analysed because this is also a key component.

With that said, the PPP/C government has been investing in the training of teachers.
“We are trying to make sure we train all teachers in Region Nine…Last year, six teachers from Maruranau graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education as secondary school teachers and so 99 per cent of our teachers are trained or are training in Region Nine,” Minister Manickchand disclosed.

She further noted that the government has given grants to teachers to buy school supplies and provided transportation for easier access to the schools for both educators and children.
Furthermore, the minister said “talk is cheap” and while many could come to communities and preach “love,” this has to be shown in their actions.

“We can talk all we want to about love. It’s very easy to say ‘We love you…’ When we tell you in the PPP we love you it comes with meaning. It comes with an easier life for you. It comes with a better future for your children,” she said.
Manickchand urged residents to look at which party supports them and the track records and not fall prey to those coming into their communities and peddling certain narratives.

The region, since the PPP/C administration took office, has seen transformation in areas such as health, education, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure, to name a few.
It was noted that the government will be spending over $250 million in schools located in the Deep South of Rupununi.