High rate of teen pregnancy, truancy at Dartmouth

- residents say

Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Ali Baksh said the incidences of teenage pregnancy and truancy at Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast are alarming.

“The issue of teenage pregnancy and school dropouts are indeed an alarming situation and one which should be addressed with urgency,” Baksh said, during interactions with residents from the Region Two community recently.

According to a press release from the ministry, residents also requested that the government develop the community’s playfield and establish a bakery there.

Baksh welcomed the suggestions and pledged to forward the first request to the Youth and Sport Ministry for consideration. Farmers also requested a donation of planting materials, which the minister agreed to provide.

In addition, residents said that they were grateful for the drainage and irrigation works done by the ministry and regional administration as it has alleviated flooding.

“I want to thank the Government and the Region for assisting us in ensuring that we have proper drainage especially at the community level….we are a farming community and as such, drainage is essential,” one resident said.