President David Granger on Tuesday reminded the students of St John the Baptist Primary in Bartica, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Region Seven, that education is important and emphasised his Government’s motto of ‘Every child in school’ (ECIS).
According to a Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP) release, President Granger visited the Primary School moments before attending this week’s Cabinet meeting held at the office of the Mayor and Town Council. This is the first time a Cabinet meeting has been held in Bartica.
Since taking office in 2015, President Granger through the Public Education Transport System (PETS) popularly known as the ‘Three Bs’ programme has provided boats, buses and bicycles to transport children across the country to school. Books and breakfast are also provided to school aged children.
“We presented buses, bicycles, and we believe every child should go to school regularly,” he said, in keeping with the three A’s in the education system – access, attendance and achievement.
“You cannot blame children who are living far away if they cannot get to school…that is why we provided the buses, what is called the ‘David G’ bus and why we provide the bicycles,” he asserted, while emphasising that every child must be in school.
The President committed to continue providing transportation to students across the country and particularly boats to those who live in riverine areas, so that they can get to school.
“I am talking about the fact that every child in this country must be given equal opportunity to come to school. This means there must be sufficient schools, this means also that there must be no gap between the coastland and the hinterland,” the Head of State was quoted as saying.
