Region 6 secondary schools benefit from 5 Bs programme

The Black Bush/Mibicuri and Canje Secondary Schools received a total of 40 bicycles under President David Granger’s ‘Boats, Buses, Bicycles plus Breakfast and Books’ or ‘Five Bs’ programme, on Saturday. According to a release from the Ministry of the Presidency, the initiative is aimed at helping students to get to school by removing the barriers to the access of education.
With the donation of 20 bicycles to each school, the Heads of the institutions are optimistic that the attendance and punctuality of the beneficiaries will significantly improve.
First Lady Sandra Granger and Social Protection Minister Amna Ally, who oversees the project, visited the schools to make the presentations and they both noted that the Government is serious about creating equal opportunities for every child, particularly in access to education, the release added.
Delivering her remarks at the Black Bush/Mibicuri Secondary School, Minister Ally said that the country’s growth and development is dependent on educated children and as such, the necessary investments must be made now by the Government to ensure that this becomes a reality. “That is the one of the visions of our President, David Granger. If our children are not educated, there will be no tomorrow for us. There will be no nation building, no development and so the President is focusing on education and it is not education for one set of people. It is for all of Guyana,” she said.

Noting that Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) currently boasts three school buses, a boat and hundreds of bicycles, Minister Ally said that this is a demonstration on the part of the Government’s commitment to the development of the Region. However, while Government is doing all that it can, the Minister said that it is incumbent on parents and guardians to ensure that everything possible is done to have their children access education.
Head master Asad Hussain, in an invited comment, said that absenteeism and poor punctuality have been major issues for the Black Bush Secondary School. He noted that while there are 150 students on the school’s register, only an average of 110 students are recorded as present at school daily. “It will benefit them greatly because in this area we have a transportation problem and as such, I know that with the bicycles, they won’t have to depend on a vehicle to come to school. We have a lot of dropout rates so yes, it will go a long way,” he said.
Over at the Canje Secondary School, First Lady Sandra Granger told the students that the Five B’s programme provides an opportunity to every beneficiary to not only get to school, but to work towards their future goals and ambitions. “This started because my husband was moved by what he heard and the importance is that behind it all is the belief that you are entitled to an education. Our country will only be built by educated people. So this provides you with an opportunity to get to school on time, less tired, less weary. Hopefully, this can also encourage you to be involved in more activities because you will now have the time to do more. You are special to have received these bicycles,” she said.