The Ministry of Education commissioned a $16.4M modern nursery school at ‘C’ Field, Sophia on Monday, in keeping with its plans to make nursery education compulsory.
It is the second nursery school in Sophia, with the other located at ‘A’ Field. The ministry said the school was initially built to accommodate 120 students, but over the past year it exceeded its capacity.
In a press release, Education Minister Shaik Baksh is quoted as telling the gathering at the commissioning that the ministry will consider extending the school as well as building a secondary school in the community. The minister also said parents’ response to the commissioning of the new school is heartening and an indication that they have heeded the ministry’s call to pay greater interest in their children’s education. Further, the minister announced that over the next year the ministry will put stronger emphasis on parental education.
The ministry said the school has washroom facilities for teachers and students, recreational equipment, a staff room and sick bay. The school has 172 pupils enrolled.
In his address at the commissioning ceremony, Chairman of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association Brian Grieves said the new facility is evidence of the development taking place in Sophia.
According to the ministry, Guyana has achieved universal primary education and is on the verge of achieving universal access to secondary education. Currently, 85% of nursery age children are enrolled in school. The minister is optimistic that Guyana can achieve 100% access to nursery education in another two to three years as more schools are built across the country.
Baksh said the extensive focus on nursery education is to ensure that pupils are given a firm foundation to make a smooth transition to primary school. Further, under the new education legislation, the ministry has submitted a proposal to the Attorney General Chambers to make nursery education compulsory for children ages three years, nine months. Parents who do not comply with the new law will be put before the court.
