The Region Three chairman says $14M has been allocated to rebuild the primary school at Santa Mission, the lone Amerindian community in the region.

Regional Chairman Julius Faerber said the community currently has both a nursery and a primary school, however, the primary school is dilapidated and the sum was set aside to build another one.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release construction started in October and it is expected to be completed by the end of this month. The existing building had the capacity to accommodate 192 children while the new school will serve over 400 students. “This school, like all others that the government is building will ensure in the long-term that more children will gain access to education and would give rise to more people becoming literate.” Faerber said.

GINA said the Amerindian affairs and education ministries have been working closely to ensure more Amerindian children are educated to equip them to make positive contributions to national development.

Hundreds of schools have been built or rehabilitated in Amerindian communities nearer to children’s homes to encourage attendance.