Dear Editor,
Mr Clarence O Perry’s contribution in the SN of March 28 (‘Educational gains of previous administration have been eroded’) is most laudable for its intent, ie to initiate and make education better. But most of the details listed are vague and not easily verified. For example, of the school built libraries – how many and where were these libraries situated and at what period? Were they built, ie funded and stocked by the PNC era education ministry, or were they entirely the initiative of the specific school? Of course with the corn comes the husk.
Mr Perry’s long list correctly credits the PNC for advancement of education. But some which he included predated the PNC. Some were pre-1964 PPP government achievements. But the school feeding programme and broadcasts to schools may have been initiated by the colonial British. The following from Mr Perry’s list were initiated under the PPP government before the PNC took over in 1964. It includes establishing the University of Guyana in 1963 housed at Queen’s College famously branded ‘Jagan’s night school’ by the PNC.
The Guyana Technical Institute (not listed), Guyana School of Agriculture at Mon Repos, radio broadcasts to schools and the school feeding programmes existed under PPP. History and Culture week gave us country bumpkins a chance to “come to town.” On visiting the Continental biscuit factory we got sweet biscuits or salted ones and giggled in scorn at the profusely sweating workers who were actually canning the product by hand.
Nationalization of church and private schools was ably carried out by PPP Education Minister Mr Balram Singh Rai. Taxpayer funds were subsidizing those institutions but the education ministry had no input into their curricula or hiring of teachers. The PNC did abolish school
fees to everyone’s credit.
The Guyana National Service which was justifiably disbanded had no serious achievement of repute. Even instances of rape where known were not followed up. Many would claim that the paramilitary training given taught needed skills. Actually it was a mass housing and feeding camp for those who designed it ostensibly to repel foreign invaders. They were required to pledge loyalty to the PNC Prime Minister and political party. How many National Service Guyanese who picked cotton all day in the sun have become gainfully employed in full time agriculture is unknown.
Yours faithfully,
Sultan Mohamed
