Dear Editor,
The headline, “Historic! MoU takes UG Satellite Campus to indigenous Aishalton Village,” (Newsroom, June 24, 2024) is to be celebrated as this initiative is one small step for Aishalton/Rupununi and Region 9, and one giant step for the University of Guyana reaching out to contribute to equity and parity in education in the remote and hinterland areas. Hopefully, this initiative will reach all regions outside of Georgetown and Region 4.
I call on our Government to give full support and funding to this bold initiative of the University of Guyana. There was a time when higher education was a rationed item for a lucky few, restricted from the masses, and implemented under “ivory towers” approaches. The University was aloof from the village people. In modern times, in our current digital and information age, everyone can have universal access to higher education. The Internet has become a great equalizer. The UG initiative should spark more concerted efforts to improve Internet access to Region 9 as well as Regions 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, and in places in the other areas where Internet service is poor and not quite affordable. Free Internet access across Guyana would be a nice Government goal for the people of Guyana. Let’s have “One Guyana” in Internet access. Do it for the children and people of Guyana!
The bigger multiplier effect of this UG Satellite Campus at Aishalton is the potential to arrest the flight of residents out of the remote regions. I understand when our people of Amerindian descent and people from rural communities come out to Georgetown to attend UG, the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), or the “town” schools, many do not want to go back to their communities when they graduate. If we do not arrest this trend, those rural communities will be depleted of key human resources necessary to promote development there. Government’s planning in rural communities must be designed to reduce the “push” factors and accentuate the “pull” factors. The provision of educational opportunities is definitely a key “pull” factor that helps in the retention of our people in the hinterland regions. We must also provide the related services in education, health, economic development, agriculture, public works, regional development, administration of justice, etc. People should receive all Government services efficiently in their own regions and within the same timelines as the Georgetown/Region 4 folks. It should not take longer in the regions. Digitise all operations in a hurry to push such efficiency. Change colonial era rules and procedures to speed up approvals, payments, and implementation of projects. To keep teachers and Government staff there, we must provide housing, transportation, hefty allowances, and every incentive to make those communities viable.
I prefer the UG presence at Aishalton as local content, superior to the GOAL providers. Thanks to the VC and UG leadership team for such a great initiative. Maybe, do the same in the other remote regions too. I wish this project very well. Let’s make sure it succeeds for Region 9.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jerry Jailall
Civil Society Advocate
