Gy$45.8M De Hoop Primary School commissioned

TIMES INT'L

The Education Ministry on Friday, May 27, commissioned the Gy$45.8 million primary school at De Hoop, Mahaica, Region Five, as it continues to forge ahead with plans to improve access and scale-up quality education delivery at the primary level. The state-of-the-art building, which houses a library, computer laboratory, staff room, kitchenette, and canteen, among other facilities, was made possible through funding from the Basic Needs Trust Fund, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

The school replaces the old wooden structure which was built on the very location in 1949 to accommodate pupils in De Hoop and neighbouring communities. While the school was under construction, pupils were housed at the De Hoop Assemblies of God Church.

Education Minister Shaik Baksh, speaking at a lively opening ceremony at the school compound, said the investment represents yet another commitment by government to modernise the education system.

He said that now a quality infrastructure is in place, the school’s head teacher and staff members should concentrate on providing pupils with quality education, because their charges deserve nothing less. “Every child who leaves the primary cycle must have attained satisfactory literacy and numeracy standards to avoid a spillover of the weaknesses at the primary level into secondary schools.”

This problem, he said, can be prevented or minimised if teachers are more dedicated and committed to the job, and parents are more involved in their children’s education. On this score, Baksh praised the school’s vibrant Parent Teachers Association (PTA), which was integral in the negotiation process for the new school building.

The school’s head teacher, Leoraine Nobrega, also praised the support of its PTA and disclosed that the body recently donated a photocopier to the school.

Regional Education Officer Urline Crandon said the new building is a “dream come true” and urged Nobrega, her staff, and the PTA to take proper care of the structure.

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