…PPP secured funding since 2013; APNU/AFC failed to act – Minister
Valued at $225M, the Education Ministry, in conjunction with the Guyana Skills Development and Employability Project, with funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), commissioned the new Beterverwagting Practical Instruction Centre (PIC) on Thursday.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand during a tour of the new facility21
The project, titled Expansion and Rehabilitation of the Beterverwagting PIC, is equipped with an array of tools and equipment within its laboratories. The targeted population for the facility includes about 400 students, primarily located within Region Number 4.
This facility is outfitted with an array of Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) areas: Crop Production, Commercial Food Preparation, Housekeeping, Garment Production, General Construction/Furniture Making, Plumbing, and Masonry.
Key beneficiaries from programs granted in the facility will cater for persons working and finishing in the evening hours.
In her address at the event, Education Minister Priya Manickchand revealed that the institution had been in the works for quite some time. She noted that despite the PPP Government securing funding from the Caribbean Development Bank in 2013, the APNU-led government, which took office in 2015 failed to act, delaying vital vocational training opportunities for over a decade.
“This was a loan negotiated with the Caribbean Development Bank in 2013 during my last term as Education Minister…these things sometimes take a while, but it definitely couldn’t take from 2013 to 2025, which would be 12 years,” she stated.
Providing clarification, she explained that in 2013, when the PPP/C Government was removed from office, the continuation of the project was neglected by the government in power.
“What happened? We got removed from government, and what should have been the continuation of that process, where all these institutions were being built and finished, so that children 10 years ago could use them, didn’t happen,” she said.
She highlighted that, despite not being close to oil revenues in 2013, the PPP/C had a clear vision and plan for the success of the nation’s youth in the realm of TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training).
“In 2013, we were nowhere close to knowing we would have oil, but we had a vision, and we had a plan, and we knew that our children and our young people would need facilities like this, and we started doing it. So tell me why… we left you the vision. We left you the intention. All you all came in and did was finish it. Why? For five years, a government couldn’t finish that,” she stated.
Amidst this, she reflected on the significance of finally commissioning the school, noting that this institution provides numerous opportunities for its students.
“This country has opportunities like you would never be able to dream of for people who are skilled. So to the young people coming to this institution, put your head down. This is not because you can do better. Let this be your choice. Let this be your life’s passion. Whatever skill you’re here to learn, do it voluntarily,” she encouraged.
Meanwhile, also speaking at the launch event, Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain highlighted that systems would be put in place to implement the Ministry’s TVET policy for the next decade.
“In the next couple of days, the Ministry of Education will be launching its TVET policy for the next 10 years. Quite recently, the Ministry of Education issued a new set of guidelines on how persons are promoted, and we believe this is the way to fully equip our students,” he explained.
Evening classes
Meanwhile, the Chief Technical Education Officer emphasized that the new institute will cater to students who are working but would like to take evening classes.
“An in-depth focus will be lent to students who are doing evening classes. And of course, the intention of this building, or the facilities that we are seeing here, is not only to execute our normal programs from morning to 3:30 p.m., but of course, the facility will cater to persons who want to come in the evening,” he explained.
He added that the goal is to ensure quality, relevance, and currency in technical education delivery, not only for a structured system but also for those who are working.
He also mentioned that women, girls, and other key stakeholders who may want to benefit from a skill certificate will have access to the facilities, including part-time or evening programs.
According to him, this model will be adopted at the post-secondary institutions, including the Georgetown Technical Institute (GTI); Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI); Linden Technical Institute(LTI) and others.
