Education Minister, Priya Manickchand has underscored the need for more schools in the Essequibo Island/West Demerara Region. She made this observation during an event at the West Demerara Secondary School yesterday.
She said that the region has 14 secondary schools but noted that there is still a need for one more. According to her, though the region has managed to close many of the Primary Tops, there is still one Primary Top at Saraswat Primary School with over 300 students.
She that her ministry is working to achieve Universal Secondary Education in the country. This means that students will no longer have to be placed in Primary Tops but all secondary-aged children would have access to a secondary school wherever they are located.
She said that the region also needs a Primary School in Tuschen and La Parfaite Harmonie. She explained that the need for these schools is to accommodate the growing population within the two communities.
Moreover, she said that the Centre for the Cyril Potter College of Education will soon be completed and will accommodate 120 students thereby making teacher training more accessible. This she said is being done while two teachers’ quarters are being built at Leguan and Wakenaam.
The Education Minister added that the Leonora Secondary School Dorm is also near completion. She said that the facility will house 65 students and will cater to those students who live along the Demerara and Essequibo rivers who can attend school in the Region.
