Cyril Potter College of Education and St. Agnes Primary School received a significant boost in their Information Technology (IT) Departments yesterday, following the donation of computer equipment with a total monetary value of approximately G$2.6M.
Through The Laparkan Group of Companies, Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) and Tropical Shipping, the computers were donated to the educational institutions yesterday at two simple handing over ceremonies.
Ministry of Education's Permanent Secretary Ganga Persaud lauded the companies for linking up and the initiative displayed through this venture.
PS Persaud declared that this consortium cannot go wrong since they are investing in youths, and any investment in education is an investment in the right direction.
While hailing the gesture as timely, the PS welcomed the intervention and urged all using the computers to maximize and optimize the use of the resources now available.
He added that this is not the first time that Laparkan has made timely, worthwhile and significant interventions into the education system and for this the Ministry of Education is forever grateful.
He urged the Private Sector and all other sectors to take a page out of the consortium's gesture and help move Guyana's development by having a firm, literate and well informed Guyanese population.
The Permanent Secretary renewed the Ministry's commitment to enhancing information technology and thanked the companies that heeded the call, in the process fulfilling a dream that every student be proficient in this field.
This investment will help in enhancing the total development of our students, he said.
The PS outlined that the IT Programme will enhance their comfort zone, since they will grow with the technological changes and also enhance their learning.
Glen Khan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Laparkan Group of Companies, reiterated the company's commitment to the development of education in Guyana and expressed the desire that the students from both institutions will benefit and garner the knowledge from the initiative.
Ms. Glenis Hodge, Manager of Tropical Shipping, noted that it is the desire of her company and the other stakeholders, Laparkan and GNIC, that this gesture will assist with the enhancement of the education systems, especially in the field of information technology.
"We really wanted to contribute in a meaningful way to the educational system in Guyana," she pointed out.
Mrs. Hodge explained that in partnership with the other local agents the idea of building and donating a Computer Lab has now become a reality.
Tropical was established in Guyana after buying over Tecmarine Lines, another shipping company which operated between North America, Guyana and the Caribbean for over ten years.
GNIC was represented by Chief Executive Officer Clinton Williams.
Head Mistress Merlene Pheonix of St. Agnes Primary School expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the stakeholders and promised to ensure the computers are well utilized.
Principal of the College Cheryl Foster informed the members of the media that the computer lab will significantly enhance the capabilities of the IT Programme and it is a great achievement for the college. She also noted that they are celebrating their 75th Anniversary and this is a great gift.