The Ministry of Education is inviting private schools to register and the relevant forms will be available from Monday.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release, schools operating at the nursery, primary and secondary levels are advised to complete this exercise by October 31.
In a notice to the owners and principals of private schools, Permanent Secretary Pulandar Kandhi referred to Act 9 of 1976 which states, “Except with the permission in writing of the minister, no other person other than the chief education officer, shall establish, maintain or manage any school or other place of education for the provision of nursery, elementary, secondary or further education, and any permission granted by the minister shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the minister may deem fit to impose.”
Khandi said the purpose of the exercise is to update the ministry’s database of private school providers at all levels; ensure that owners and principals of private schools operate within the confines of the law; and ensure that ‘private providers’ satisfy the minimum standards established for the delivery of quality education. He said providers who breach the Act will be subject to penalties.
Meanwhile, parents and guardians are advised that several schools will accept children who are hearing impaired in Year One at the Nursery level and Grade One (Prep A) at the Primary level. These schools include South Road Nursery and Graham’s Hall Primary School in Georgetown, Prospect Nursery, Enmore Primary and the Diamond Special Needs School in Region Four, and the New Amsterdam Special Needs School in Region Six.
Additionally, parents and guardians are advised to make available their children’s birth certificates and immunization/vaccination cards for registration.
For more information the public is advised to contact the Region Four Education Department at telephone number 220-3383 and the Head of the Georgetown Education Department at telephone number 226-0146.
