Some primary school students housed at the Wales Community High School (WCHS) will be relocated to La Retraite Primary School and plans are in train to conduct rehabilitative works at the West Bank Demerara (WBD) school.
According to a Government Infor-mation Agency (GINA) press release the Wales school has a population of 1,143 secondary and primary school students and operates under a shift system. Parents said this system causes inconvenience and does not provide time for the children to engage in recreational activities and they requested that their children be given a full day’s teaching.
In light of this, Minister of Education Shaik Baksh yesterday met with Minister of Local Government Kellawan Lall, Regional Chairman Julius Faerber, Regional Education Officer Cheryl Chase, teachers and parents at the school to discuss the issue. A decision was then taken to relocate some of the primary school students who were housed in the Wales WCHS building.
According to GINA the WCHS students will remain at that location though a shift system will no longer be in operation. The ministry will provide 100 pairs of new furniture to ensure adequate accommodation.
The team also inspected the school’s lavatory and waste disposal facilities and agreed that the latter will be repaired and a new lavatory block will be built. A new garbage facility will also be built after the budget is approved. Baksh said within three weeks a design for the lavatory will be drafted.
Meanwhile, parents were informed that the ministry plans to extend the Patentia Secondary School to cater for secondary students from the WBD. This plan is expected to come to fruition by 2009.
Baksh pointed out that the medium term focus would be to provide a Technical Vocational Training Centre for early school leavers and youths who want to learn a trade. Lall said government intends to provide all the necessary amenities to ensure that these youths receive a well-rounded education.
The team also visited the La Retraite school to ensure that it was conducive to learning. Chairman of the Parent-Teachers’ Association Yul Allicock was asked to make proposals about the necessary works so that they can be undertaken soon.
