New $89M Martyrs’ Ville Nursery School commissioned

The Martyrs’ Ville Nursery School, which was constructed to the tune of $89 million, was officially commissioned on Saturday by Education Minister Priya Manickchand and other officials.

The new school will eliminate the overcrowding at Mon Repos Nursery and the Good Hope Nursery Schools. The school was opened on September 5 for pupils but the official commissioning was done on Saturday.
Minister Manickchand during the commissioning stated that Guyanese should always expect her Government to deliver on its promises and that the construction of the school is another example of fulfilling a promise that was made to the people of Guyana and specifically the residents of Martyrs’ Ville.
She said that the Government believes in investing heavily in the education sector and that this includes constructing facilities where they are needed to ensure access to quality education.
Manickchand reiterated that Neuel Bancroft from the Annandale Primary School in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) tied for the top spot at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).
In addition, she explained that the student had to be surrounded by great teachers from nursery school up to Grade Six.
She congratulated all teachers and urged them to take stock of what their responsibilities are and to ensure that they properly educate their pupils since a solid nursery foundation is important.

Further, she appealed to the parents who were present at the ceremony that parental support is needed in any child’s academic development.
“We are asking for your partnership. This means having a deep interest in your children’s education. When we get partnerships right, we will see children excelling in ways we didn’t imagine.”
Further, she said that the Government promises that children will continue to receive support such as cash grants, meals and textbooks among other benefits.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who was present at the ceremony, thanked the teachers for their hard work and saluted them on behalf of the Government for a job well done.
On the topic of the new school, he said that less than three decades ago the land on which the building stands was a cow pasture. He enlightened those present that he had attended nursery school in the community which was a “bottom house”.
He explained that it is important that the transformation that has taken place – and continues to occur – be appreciated. He said that there are many more projects slated for the region including a modern hospital at Enmore, new water treatment plants at Friendship/Buxton, Bachelor’s Adventure and Mahaica, and an industrial complex where the Enmore Estate factory was which will create jobs.
He related that these projects and more are being done to create a better country and future for the young children.
Regional Chairman Daniel Seeram described the school as a blessing to the community and the region since it will address the overcrowding at the Mon Repos Nursery and the Good Hope Nursery School.
Assistant Chief Education Officer (Nursery), Devendre Persaud said that it is the commitment of the Government and the Ministry of Education to provide education for all Guyanese whether they live in the city or rural communities and that Martyrs’ Ville Nursery is a testimony of such commitment.
Regional Education Officer Stembiso Grant said that the school adds to the list of 58 nursery schools in the region while adding that the school is currently staffed with 98 per cent trained teachers.
She thanked the Ministry of Education for conceptualising the project and bringing it to fruition to improve access and delivery of education at the nursery level.