Children not attending school due to lack of transportation, school supplies – Toshao

At Kabakaburi, St Monica

Scores of children living in the Upper Pomeroon River in the Amerindian communities of Kabakaburi and St Monica in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are currently not attending school and, according to Toshao Cleveland Simon, it is because of the lack of transportation and school supplies.
During an interview, the Toshao related that parents were finding it difficult to send their children to Charity on the coastland to attend secondary school.
“Parents really can’t afford it; it cost $1000 a day to send a child to school at Charity…this is quite expensive, since most people depend on (lumber work) and right now the business is slow,” Simon explained.
He further explained that the community did not have a school boat and that has compounded the problem; hence, many children are suffering. Simon said that he noticed many children were at home although schools re-opened and when he spoke to parents, they explained their hardship purchasing school supplies. He said most parents who have more than two children were finding it hard to purchase school items.

“One mother of nine told me that she cannot afford to buy school items for all her children; this is what we face in the Amerindian communities. People have lots of children and they can’t send all of them to school,” the Toshao said.
He is, therefore, making an earnest appeal to the Government, through the Region Two Administration, for a school boat as well as a regular supply of fuel to transport the children to and from school. He also pledged the village council’s support once the boat is gifted to the community. (Indra Natram)