Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai has assured residents at Number 59 Village that the community’s primary school will soon be rehabilitated. She was speaking during a recent cabinet outreach exercise.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Sukhai was accompanied by Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee who advised residents that it was in their interest to monitor the renovations.

$20.4B has been allocated for this sector with the focus on construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of nursery, primary and secondary schools.

It will also be used to upgrade other educational facilities and boost the quality of education offered at the University of Guyana and the Cyril Potter College of Education.

A school feeding programme for 100 primary schools in regions one, seven, eight and nine will also benefit. The allocation also caters for a national literacy programme aimed at supporting poor performers in primary schools as well as early school leavers and other youth.

During the exercise residents used the opportunity to voice concerns about poor attendance at schools, overloading in minibuses and loud music being played in vehicles which transport children.

Hemraj Ghansham said the welfare departments at some schools need to curb truancy. He said too more sport needs to be included in the school curriculum.