The administration of Guyana’s leading secondary academic institution, Queen’s College has signalled its discontentment with the yearly subvention granted for general expenditures, saying that it is not sufficient to fill all gaps.
Principal consultant Alfred Granger made this disclosure on Wednesday, stating that when the salaries of employees are deducted from the total amount, only $20 million remains to service the school for the entire year. As such, Queen’s College is “always in deficit”.
“One of the problems we have at Queen’s College is that we’re always short of money. The Board gets subvention and the subvention you get sounds large, but when you take out teachers and some auxiliary staff salaries from that subvention, we’re left with around $20 million to run the school so we’re always in deficit,” Granger informed.
The consultant reminded that the school sits on some 12 acres of land and contains three buildings, which require constant maintenance.
“Queen’s College stands on almost 12 acres of ground. The three buildings put together are the largest of any school in the country. The monies we have cannot run the school and pay our bills,” he said.
Students and teachers had complained last year that the field was overgrown with bushes for almost over three years, making it difficult for athletes to train. It also pushed the administrative body to host their inter-house sports at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground.
Presently, the ground is almost 100 per cent completed.
After reports were made by Guyana Times of the dilapidated facilities and other infrastructure, a decision was made to allocate $11 million for rehabilitation works.
The science labs, which were considered by the teachers as “not conducive” to lab experiments, were to be repainted and new cupboards installed with the ceiling getting a facelift.
Anniversary
One week of activities has been launched for the school’s 175th anniversary celebration, and this is expected to provide funding for a music and orchestra programme. Granger noted that in the 1900s, the school was recognised for the performing orchestra and band. This will be reintroduced with steel pan and other components.
The events will commence on Sunday, October 27 and conclude on Saturday, November 2. Activities on the agenda include a wreath-laying exercise at Sir William Percy Austin’s grave on October 27, followed by the renaming of the library and allied arts building on October 28.
October 29 is reserved for a golf tournament at the Lusignan Golf Club and a Women of Queen’s College panel discussion. This is accompanied by the election of office bearers, a museum tour, and the Ray Luck piano recital on October 30.
Students will gather at the school on October 31, for their Sports Day activities and a “Curry-Que”. The last two days will conclude with long day tours and a 70s themed party at the Pegasus Hotel.
For these commemorative events, the Tourism Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) has given its support, since many Guyanese in the Diaspora are expected to return, spiking tourist arrivals. Over the years, the overseas alumni has raised millions of dollars for the school to revamp infrastructure and pay other expenses.
Alfred Granger
