Tapakuma Amerindian community receives school bus, supplies

… take a vow to send your children to school – President Granger

President David Granger has urged parents in the Amerindian communities of Tapakuma and Mainstay\Whyaka in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) to take a vow to send their children to school. He was at the time delivering the feature address at the commissioning of a 26-seater school bus, “David G 13” at Tapakuma under the President’s Five Bs programme.

The bus was donated by popular Essequibo businessman Joe Jagmohan in collaboration with Innovating Mining Inc.

President Granger was accompanied by Ministers of Social Cohesion Amna Ally, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Syney Allicock and Education Nicollette Henry.

Addressing a large gathering of school children, businessmen, residents, APNU members and regional officials, President Granger said that parents, teachers and community leaders need to pledge their efforts in ensuring that each child attends school. Speaking about the importance of education he said that the coalition Government is committed to providing the necessary resources for children to stay in school.

The Head of State said that parents need to ensure their children attain an education and this is only possible if children attend school regularly and punctually. He pointed out that through sound education comes profitable jobs and entrepreneurship.

Speaking about the 5 Bs initiative he said the idea was birthed after he visited the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region and discovered the struggles children endure to attain an education.

He mentioned that  more buses will be provided on the Essequibo Coast since the programme is fully supported by the private sector.

Not happy with state of education

The President spoke about the poor state of the education sector, underscoring that hinterland schools are predominately affected. He said he is very disturbed with the alarming numbers of school drop-outs recorded at the Primary and Secondary schools.

“I am not happy at all, people need to understand that the Government cannot do it alone, there must be a collective approach, the bus is to ensure child go to school; with an education then persons can be afforded better jobs and that community can eventually develop,” President Granger said.

He also mentioned that the Grade 6 assessment results were very disappointing and half of the students failed in the core subject areas; he said there is definitely room for improvement.

Residents showered loud praises to the President for the bus. Previously parents had to pay exorbitant fees to get to and from the Coast land.

President Granger officially commissioned the bus by assisting to cut the ribbon and sprinkling coconut water around.