The 34th death anniversary of former President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham was commemorated on Tuesday with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Mausoleum, Place of Heroes, Seven Ponds, Botanical Gardens.
The event was organised by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and was attended by President David Granger, Ministers of Government and other dignitaries.
President David Granger lays a wreath in memory of LFS Burnham
Burnham, the founder of the People’s National Congress, served for a period of 16 years, that is, from December 14, 1964 – October 6, 1980, before he died on August 6, 1985.
Vice Chairman of the PNCR, George Norton in his remarks called Burnham a political icon who encouraged self-sufficiency through hard work for the best interest of Guyana.
“President Burnham was a political icon whose work continues to inspire generations. He motivates Governments to work tirelessly in the best interest of this nation. He was a brilliant man who pioneered a system of free education from nursery to university. He was also a futuristic thinker who promoted sustainable development and self-sufficiency, long before the global fight towards achieving sustainable development goals” Norton stated.
Also speaking at the event was President Granger, who emphasised Burnham’s contribution to Guyana’s education.
According to Granger, Burnham, who was the first elected Minister of Education in British Guiana, believed that public education was the cornerstone of social justice.
A section of the gathering at the event on Tuesday
The Head of State noted that the former President aspired to establish an educational system in which rural and hinterland schools would be as efficient as those on the coastland.
He stated that Burnham believed that if the nation was to improve its citizens’ quality of life, it had to provide them with a high quality of education.
“Forbes Burnham’s first decade in office was one of tremendous transformation of the public education system, making it more resilient and relevant to the national situation at the time and to our people’s aspirations for the future. He reinforced the bases of universal primary and secondary education and moved tertiary education from being the privilege of an élite few to an entitlement for everyone, the President stated.
He further highlighted that the former President is also to be credited with the building of community high schools and technical institutes along with the University of Guyana Campus and the Cyril Potter College of Education at Turkeyen.
“All with the aim of providing the best education for the post-Independence generation. Forbes Burnham gave effect to free public education by expanding opportunities for all. He entrenched free education as an entitlement in [the] Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana…We are encouraged by his example. We are inspired by his vision. We, his heirs and successors, recommit to perpetuating his legacy of free public education. We remember him with reverence and respect” Granger said, ending his remarks.
