20 bicycles, bags awarded to Top NGSA students in Region 10

– as part of 5 Bs initiative

As part of the President’s Five Bs (boats, buses, bicycles, breakfast and books) initiative, 20 bicycles and bags were donated to the top National Grade 6 Assessment Examination students from within Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Monday.
Present to hand over the bicycles to the students at the Region’s Department of Education was Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally, who congratulated the top performers, teachers and parents, while emphasising the impact the 5 Bs programme has in ensuring that the nation’s children are afforded an opportunity of getting to school.
More so, she noted that President David Granger’s dream for students is being realised, as the initiative continues to catch on across the country: “His dream is to have an educated nation. Our boys and girls are being now prepared…his dream is more than coming

through…it is about providing opportunities for our young people to be better citizens of this country. Many of our children have been delinquent going to school. And it is not because it is their desire, but it is because of poverty. It was because of inequality, and this Region suffered a lot of inequalities during previous years”, Minister Ally said.
The minister also thanked Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland whom she noted initiated the distribution of the bicycles and who also made a promise to donate an additional bicycle to another of the Region’s top NGSA performer.
In noting that Linden is doing well, she encouraged the community to be “builders”, another ‘B’ which she said should be added. Minister Ally in presenting the bicycles also encouraged the students to be careful along the roadway.
Mayor Holland in his remarks noted that the initiative endeavours to create the kind of condition under which children can thrive. He said that in order for children to succeed, measures such as access to essentials must be put in place. Holland also thanked the Government for the initiative of meeting the needs of citizens.
“Our President recognises that we must invest in our youths in order to reap the wealth of benefits to be derived from the wealth of learning…therefore it is in the interest of all of us to join in and support the President, the initiative, I applaud”, he stated.
Regional Chairman Renis Morian during his remarks noted how pleased he was that government is pursuing education as an initiative, as well as with the results of students in the Region. He urged continued support to the development of students as they continue their journey, including those who did not make it to the top level.
The bicycles have added to a list of three boats, a bus to the Region, along with many others across the country.
The awardees include 4 students who will be attending Queen’s College, ten at Bishops High, four at St Stanislaus College and three at St Roses High.