Parliamentarians recently concluded a first-of-its-kind outreach to East and West Berbice schools.
The outreach themed “Bringing Parliament to Life for Young People” saw parliamentarians from the three parties represented in the National Assembly visiting several schools across Regions Five and Six last Thursday and Friday.
The delegation comprised Speaker Raphael Trotman, representing the Alliance For Change and MPs representing the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
Bush Lot Secondary, Belladrum Secondary, Cotton Tree Primary and Hopetown Secondary were among the schools visited by the MPs in Region 5, while St Therese’s Primary, Cropper Primary, Grey’s Pre- School, Rose Hall Estate Primary School and Skeldon High School were the schools visited in Region 6.
Speaker Trotman, speaking to the media, stated that the project in the form of the outreach is rather a pilot “to start at Belladrum… Hopetown, Bush Lot, Cotton Tree and then of course New Amsterdam, Corentyne and then back to Georgetown”.
He added that the whole idea is “to visit schools in all ten regions, meeting students…just listing the profiles of the work of the National Assembly so that people know what we do— showing as well that in as much as our apparent disagreements, we can also come together in a national interest…to show that we can put aside our differences to serve them”.
Jennifer Wade represented APNU and Faizal M. Jaffarally represented the PPP/C. Wade, while addressing students of Bush Lot Secondary in Region 5, promised them a brand new access road, much to the loud applause of the students. “As the Speaker said, when we fight in the Parliament—- at the end of the day, we come up with legislations that will take us through— but while getting into this street, I saw the condition of the street, and so, I want to say today, with my visit here, which I spoke about all the streets, because I am your representative in Region 5, and where things are not going the way they supposed to be, I speak it in the National Assembly, and I spoke about those things and as I came in I saw nothing was being done. I can say to you, Bush Lot School, you will have that very street, because I am going to pick it up again”.
Jaffarally stated that Parliament is an important institution that makes the laws of the country and while there are different political parties…in the parliament, “all of us has the common good for this country and people of this country at heart and that is why I said when we go in parliament— and I am a first- time Parliamen-tarian— and I was amazed of the excitement of being in parliament, the debates in parliament are very, very stiff, but what happens out of parliament in probably the dining area or lobby area, the camaraderie displayed by our Parliamentarians, it says a lot that we can work together as a people, the common interest of building our country for the people of this country”.
Students of the various schools were afforded the opportunity to interact with the MPs and ask questions, even shake their hands.
There was, however, a minor hiccup during the outreach where a television appearance was scheduled on DTV- Channel 8 on Thursday evening but the MPs did not turn up. Reports are that the TV station and staff had prepared to receive the MPs for the live TV programme and waited in vain. The MPs were then seen on another TV station doing the programme though the staff of DTV-8 were not told of the sudden change.
According to the Parlia-ment Office, “Democracy is about every member of our society being able to have their say”. “Whether young people realise it or not, the decisions that are made in Parliament have a significant impact on their lives— whether it’s the curriculum they follow at school, the services offered at their local hospital, taxes their families pay or how much they will pay to go to university”.
The office went on to say that “too often Parliament can seem too distant and remote and in an attempt to raise awareness of the work of the National Assembly among young people, and inspire youths across the country to take a closer interest in governance, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Raphael Trotman, M.P. had proposed that Members of Parliament conduct outreach activities to all Regions of Guyana during the life of the Tenth Parliament”.
“It is hoped that events like this will help bring Parliament to life for our young people; highlighting the impact it has on their lives and the ways they can influence the decisions that are taken there. It is also hoped that events like the outreaches will encourage more young people to become active citizens throughout their lives— and maybe even to think about standing for Parliament themselves one day”, the statement said.
