Students in the Canje area will now benefit from free Saturday lessons after a group of overseas-based Guyanese launched their first ever education programme in Canje yesterday.
David Armogan, Region Six Chairman, who delivered the feature address at the simple launch, noted that in order for children who come from poor families to succeed, they must be given a proper education.
The chairman noted that this “is a very commendable gesture.” He further said that the Canje Area is one of the areas which is in need of such gestures “because of the fact that many sugar workers who used to work at Rose Hall Estate has now gone out of employment and so there is a big problem in homes now people are not able to sustain their livelihood, people are not able to sustain their children going to school and it has created a problem for us.”
Armogan suggested that in the not too distant future the Canje area will be affected by many social problems due to persisting unemployment issues. “When they came to me with the idea I thought was a very good thing to launch in Canje,” he added, while stressing that the best gift that can be given is education “because education is the basis of any society, education is permanent, it will last forever.”
“Poor people children, the only way they can get up in this life is through education…,” he further said.
He told the students gathered that in order for them to be qualified for jobs in this era, they must have a proper education. “I don’t see [any] reason why our children cannot do well if given the opportunity,” he said.
The classes, which will be held on Saturdays, will begin with 20 students ranging from ages 11 to 14, while a class for older children will commence later in the year.
The students will be taught Mathematics, English, Spanish and several other subjects.
The facilitators are currently seeking voluntary services from teachers in the Canje area. They, however, noted that retired teachers are on board to offer their assistance.
Additionally, teachers from foreign countries will offer their assistance through online classes. Skills to better understand and deal with social ills will also be taught to the students. The classes will be held at a residence in Canefield, East Canje, Berbice, however, Armogan noted that once the class expands a classroom at a nearby school can be used to facilitate the programme. A snack will also be provided to each of the students.
Meanwhile, the group of overseas-based Guyanese are hoping to acquire six computers, 20 calculators and two printers before the end of 2018.
Their sights are also set on opening a library by then. It is their goal to educate children in order to prevent them from falling into criminal activities.
