The Yarrowkabra Secondary School has opened its doors to some 1,019 students from several villages along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.
The $790 million school was officially commissioned yesterday. It accommodates students from seven previously closed primary tops, as well as some from Covent Garden, Supply and Providence Primary, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported.
It features 11 departments including entrepreneurial, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and TVET skills, with a cohort of 65 teachers.
During the keynote address, President Irfaan Ali said the infrastructure is only one component of the government’s bid to ensure every child has access to world class education.
“We can have the best facilities, but if we also do not invest in human resources that will help this facility to manifest the type of results that you’re investing for, then you will have a mismatch. That is why today…we are investing in having high quality teachers, and we are seeing that more teachers are becoming graduates, having first degree, master’s degree and even PhDs,” DPI quoted him as stating.
He recognised that many rural communities countrywide face challenges for children in single-parent households, hindering their educational opportunities.
“How are we going to ensure that economic and financial burdens do not prevent that single parent-led household from sending their children to school, to ensure that the children have access to education?” President Ali questioned.
President Ali also reiterated the government’s goal of achieving universal secondary education, adding that this involves a focus on digitising education to address challenges in subjects like Mathematics.
The Yarrowkabra Secondary School is fully equipped with three Science laboratories, TVET labs, a main lecture hall, eight smart grade seven classes, and additional buildings.
Due to the growing number of students, 10 more classrooms are needed to accommodate the demand.
Manickchand explained that bids have already been extended for the construction of these classrooms.
“Once the school is here, children will come to school. And once the children come to school, lives will change,” she said.
