St. Ignatius teachers move into five-apartment complex
Stabroek News
November 7, 2002
Teachers of the St. Ignatius secondary, primary and nursery schools in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) are now being accommodated in a recently constructed five-apartment complex.
The Government Information Agency (GINA) reported recently that the apartment complex was commissioned by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Harripersaud Nokta during a three-day visit to the region.
Accompanying Nokta were Education Ministry permanent secretary Hydar Ally, regional education officer Tarachand Chetram, regional executive officer Deolall Rooplall and other regional officials.
Teachers had been leaving the region after a few months of teaching because of inadequate accommodation, GINA reported. To improve conditions for them, funds were allocated to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in the national budget this year for the construction of several teachers' quarters in various villages in the region, the information agency said.
In addition, dormitories have been built at St. Ignatius Secondary School for students who come from far-flung villages in the region.
The secondary school now offers nine subjects at the CSEC level and according to the regional education officer, the students have been passing with satisfactory grades. Chetram noted that efforts of teachers from the coastland have been a significant contributory factor to these successes since the administration has been unable to locate highly skilled persons in the region, GINA reported. However, to lend support to the education drive in the region, several persons are undergoing training under the Guyana Basic Education Training Programme (GBET) which serves as a foundation course for teachers to enhance their knowledge and teaching skills, GINA said.
The agency also stated that Nokta and team commissioned a new primary school, teachers' quarters and health hut at Gunns Strip, and a new education office at Lethem.
