The $293.5M Leonora Secondary School was on Wednesday commissioned by Minister of Education Shaik Baksh and is expected to accommodate students from January 2012.
“This is maybe the last official duty as Minister of Education,” were the words of Baksh as he commissioned the “almost” complete school at Edinburgh, Leonora, West Coast Demerara.
Presenting the project overview Pulandar Kandhi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education said that it has been four months overdue because of some unforeseen circumstances.
Regional Education Officer (REdO) Marlyne Jones O’Donoghue said that the modernized school will enhance the performance of the students and teachers as they seek to take Leonora Secondary higher in the rankings in the region and country.
With the capacity for over 700 students and 32 teachers the REdO noted there will be a more enabling environment for learning and to continue on their journey to achieve success. She added that there should also be parental involvement since this is “essential” for optimal development of the child and the teachers should put out incentives to motivate students.
In his address to the gathering Baksh said that he is very satisfied that the “Ministry of Education has delivered and the Government has delivered on their promises,” to better serve Guyanese. He also said that his Ministry plans to make pre-primary education compulsory within the next year and within the next two years intends to build more schools so that access to education can jump from 85% to 100%.
Baksh said that he wants every child to remain in the school system and the introduction of the Secondary Competence Certificate in 59 schools across the country is an initiative to serve that purpose. He also urged parents to have their children attend school regularly while noting that the number of students sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations was improving significantly.
He restated plans to make Information Technology compulsory to all students who will be sitting CSEC exams in the next three years.
On a tour of the compound Stabroek News discovered that the building has not been completed as yet. The septic tanks have not been connected with the pipes and there is wood and slush in the yard of the compound.
The ceremony saw cultural presentations by the West Demerara, Leonora and North Ruimveldt Secondary Schools with West Demerara Secondary ushering the gathering into the Christmas spirit with the classical rendition of ‘Silent Night’. The Minister also commended the North Ruimveldt Secondary steel orchestra for their well-appreciated renditions.
