Martyrs’ Ville $89M Nursery School officially commissioned

A promise that was made to the residents of the Martyr’s Ville Community on the East Coast of Demerara, Guyana that a nursery school will be built in the community to relieve parents of the burden of taking their children to the Mon Repos Nursery School and the Good Hope Nursery School which are located further away have been fulfilled.

It was disclosed that the completion of the school will also serve to eliminate the overcrowding at the other two schools. The school was opened on September 5, 2022, the first day of the school term and was officially commissioned on Saturday by the Education Minister, Priya Manickchand in the company of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, SC, Regional Chairman, Mr. Daniel Seeram and other senior officers within the Education Ministry and the Regional Administration.

Manickchand noted that Guyanese should always expect her Government to deliver on its promises and that the construction of the school is another example of fulfilling a promise that was made to the people of Guyana and specifically the residents of Martyrs’ Ville.

The minister said that the Guyana Government believes in investing heavily in the education sector and that this includes constructing facilities where there are needed to ensure access to quality education.

Manickchand reminded the teachers that were present at the ceremony that Region Four produced one of the students who tied for the top spot at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment, Neuel Bancroft from the Annandale Primary School. She said that in addition to parental support and natural brilliance, the student had to be surrounded by great teachers from nursery school up to Grade Six. She congratulated all teachers and urged those present today to take stock of what their responsibilities are and to ensure that they properly educate their pupils since a solid nursery foundation is important.

The minister also appealed to the parents present and explained to them that one common thread running through the stories of successful students is the support they receive from parents. “We are asking for your partnership. This means having a deep interest in your children’s education. When we get partnerships right we will see children excelling in ways we didn’t imagine,” she appealed.

Further, the education minister said that the Guyana Government promises that children will continue to receive support such as cash grants, meals and textbooks among other benefits. She declared that for the first time in the history of the country all Grade Six children will receive breakfast daily. Manickchand said Grade Five and Six children are receiving all the textbooks they need free of cost and shortly after all primary school children will receive all the textbooks they need for free.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall also thanked teachers for their hard work and saluted on behalf of the Government for a job well done.

Nandlall on the topic of the new school, said that less than three decades ago the land on which the edifice stands was a cow pasture. He revealed to those present that he had attended nursery school in the community which was a ‘bottom house’.

The AG said that it is important that the transformation that has taken place and continues to occur must be appreciated. He said that there are many more projects expected for the region including a modern hospital at Enmore, new water treatment plants at Friendship/Buxton, Bachelor’s Adventure and Mahaica and an industrial complex where the Enmore Estate factory was, which will create jobs.

The minister noted that these projects and more are being done to create a better country and future for the young children coming up. Regional Chairman, Daniel Seeram described the school as a blessing to the community and the region since it will offset the overcrowding at the Mon Repos Nursery and the Good Hope Nursery School.

Assistant Chief Education Officer (Nursery), Mr. Devendre Persaud said that it is the commitment of the Government and the Education Ministry to provide education for all Guyanese whether they live in the city or rural communities and that Martyrs’ Ville Nursery is a testimony of such commitment.

Regional Education Officer, Ms. Stembiso Grant said that the school adds to the list of 58 nursery schools in the region. She said the school is currently staffed with 98% trained teachers. Grant thanked the Education Ministry for conceptualizing the project and bring to fruition to improve access and delivery of educationn at the nursery level.