FOR years, the small Indigenous community of Mashabo in Region Two quietly battled one of the most pressing challenges any village could face—limited access to quality education.

In the past, the path from nursery to secondary school was marred with obstacles, and for more than a decade, no pupil from Mashabo Primary School earned a place at an “A” list secondary school, according to the school’s headteacher, Modi Beepat.

Under the leadership of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, Mashabo has been doing very well, with more and more pupils securing spots at “A” list schools.

Beepat said today, Mashabo can fill an entire bus with students heading to impressive secondary schools. This year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) results brought further celebration: a 70 per cent pass rate, marking a 50 per cent improvement from the previous year. Further, Naomi Hendricks, managed to secure the best results in the school’s history. She was awarded a place at Abram Zuil Secondary School.

Fueling these results is government’s continuous investment in the community’s children and teachers. The school is now fully staffed, with all educators trained or currently in training. Every child has the necessary textbooks and exercise books, ensuring no one is left behind. Additionally, parents are benefitting from the $55,000 education cash grant, which eases the cost of sending their children to school.

Beepat told this publication that the new initiatives have expanded opportunities beyond the classroom. Internet and cable television now connect Mashabo’s pupils to the wider world. Every pupil receives a healthy breakfast and lunch, and teachers receive cash grants to further enhance the learning environment. Infrastructure upgrades have strengthened the school, creating a safer and more engaging space for the pupils.

And only recently, another milestone was reached: the commissioning of the Mashabo Nursery School. This modern, well-equipped facility will offer the youngest child a solid foundation for future success. Community leaders believe it will not only raise performance at the primary level but also increase the number of students completing secondary school and pursuing higher education.

The headteacher said that for Mashabo, the transformation of its education system is more than just buildings and statistics; it’s about changing lives. He added that the children are also enjoying better access to education.

He related that one community elder has said, “A hundred years from now, what will matter most is not what we owned, but the difference we made in the lives of our children.”

If the progress of the past five years is anything to go by, the future for Mashabo’s children is bright. And with continued support from the PPP/C, residents believe the next big dream of a secondary school for the village is well within reach.