A member of the Party since he was 14 years old, Vickram Bharrat was beyond euphoric when he was sworn in as the newest Member of Parliament (MP) for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) – the oldest local political party.
The 36-year-old Bharrat took his oath on Thursday before the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs and was congratulated by the Speaker of the House, Dr Barton Scotland.
Vickram Bharrat being sworn in as the newest PPP/C MP before Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs on Thursday
Bharrat replaced Charles Ramson Jr who recently resigned to pursue studies in oil and gas.
During an interview with Guyana Times in the corridor of Parliament Building, the new parliamentarian could not contain his excitement about the journey ahead in pushing for programmes and policies that will benefit the people of Guyana.
“Of course, I am elated. I am excited to be a part of the National Assembly. This has been my dream growing up and I am aware of the fact that this is serious business. At the same time the excitement is bubbling, I know we really have to get down to serious work in representing our people,” he stated.
He also commended the work of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and the other MPs on their progress thus far, noting that he was ready to contribute meaningfully to further advance those efforts.
Bharrat holds a degree in computer science and is qualified in the area of public management.
Additionally, being a former Chairman of the Grove/Diamond Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and having worked with the Local Government Ministry for a number of years, Bharrat boasts a wealth of knowledge in the area of local governance.
He is also familiar with the educational system, having been a teacher since 1998.
“I am well aware of the education system in Guyana and what is needed to improve it,” he stated.
In briefly outlining some of the issues with the education system, Bharrat said parents needed to be more involved in the process.
“Parenting plays a lot. Parents, teachers and students – education is a three-way process; it has never been the student and teacher alone. Parents need to play a bigger role. We need to engage the parents more and encourage them to play a more active role in their child’s education,” he explained. He also said there was need for more emphasis on the teaching of Mathematics and English at a younger age in order to lay a firm foundation for students entering high school.
Bharrat was elected a Candidate Member to the PPP/C Central Committee at the last Congress. (Devina Samaroo)
