Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh says the administration is mindful that it can only achieve policy objectives with strategic partnerships, during a presentation ceremony to the JC Chandisingh Secondary School.
The school’s alumni association donated the texts, which Singh lauded as another example of private/public partnership that will enhance the lives of citizens. “Government is always delighted to hear about progressive minded organizations committed to the objectives and ideals of development in Guyana and are willing to work with the national and regional authorities to implement their programmes to achieve tangible outcomes,” he said.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the minister said government’s relationship with the Diaspora is not one of convenience and is not one that is birthed a few months before an election but, is one that is deeply entrenched into a philosophy which pre-dates the PPP/C coming into office as government. He said late president Dr Cheddi Jagan, while in the opposition, travelled within the Diaspora mobilising and securing their support for international advocacy which resulted in the return to democracy in 1992. “The Diaspora is an important extension of the Guyanese community with its members serving as ambassadors Guyana is proud of,” he added.
The minister also noted that while Guyanese need to remain in Guyana and contribute to development, and for as many Guyanese residing overseas to return, the administration has adopted another approach to the Diaspora by considering them as part of the extended Guyanese community. “This engagement is not only through mobilising resources and support but also at the policy level. “The Diaspora is regarded as an excellent source of expertise, as an excellent market for Guyanese products, goods and services, a peculiar niche for Guyana’s tourism product and as a valuable core advocate,” Singh said.
Regarding education, he noted that the $24.3B budgetary allocation, which represents 15 per cent of the entire national budget, demonstrates government’s focus on education nationally. In addition to making provisions for infrastructure enhancements and construction of new schools countrywide, training and employing teachers, government endeavours to transform Guyana through education.
According to GINA, government has made several investments in youth including the establishment of the Education Broadcast Television Services (ETBS) which will broadcast educational programmes countrywide. Other investments have also been made including the construction of the University of Guyana’s Tain Campus. The minister then urged teachers to ensure that they deliver quality education while urging students to pay attention to national policies and programmes from which they can benefit.
