REdOs In six Regions Transferred

THE EDUCATION MINISTRY HAS RELOCATED MOST OF ITS REGIONAL
EDUCATION OFFICERS (REdOs) NATIONWIDE according to multiple sources familiar
with the issue.
The transfer of all Essequibo Islands/West Demerara (Region Three) Education Officers became
a contentious issue when one officer went public about the abrupt telephone announcement to the
seven made by now-embattled Chief Education Officer (CEO), Dr. Marcel Hutson.
When www.aroundtheregions.com broke the story, Central Ministry officials went into overdrive
in a hastily-arranged meeting Monday to help limit damage control. In it, they reminded sector
officials of regulations barring employees talking to media.
Controversial Barima/Waini (Region One) REdO, Nigel Richards will be going to Upper
Demerara/Berbice (Region Ten), the political bastion of main opposition Peoples National
Congress (PNC) the largest party of A Partnership for National Unity, Alliance For Change
(APNU+AFC) parliamentary coalition.
Akbar Chindu who works in Cuyuni/Mazaruni (Region Seven), replaces Richards who was not
well-liked among regional officials, including Chairman, Mr. Brentol Ashley.
They all wanted to see the back of Richards in spite of significant successes by learners, during
his tenure, at the National Grade Six (NGSA) and Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate
(CSEC) exams offered by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).
Despite his unpopularity, he was still seen as an integral player in improving the government’s
educational development plan in the interior mining community.

Chindu, is viewed as an excellent team player, rich in managerial expertise, according to staff
members from Regions 7 and 10 who benefitted. His assets are badly needed now in Region One
to help rehabilitate the broken learning sector there.
Ms. Penelope P. M c Intosh was confirmed as REdO in Chindu’s place.
Region Three REdO, Ms. Annesta Douglas, who created the headache for Minister, Priya
Manickchand and CEO Dr. Hutson when she spoke to the media, has been instructed to report to
Central Ministry. It is still unclear how she will function there.
Mr. Davindra Persaud, Douglas’ junior, will replace her.
And Ms. Selaste La Rose is posted to Potaro/Siparuni (Region 8) and is expected to make a
major turnaround in spite of the difficulties in the education sector there.
Meanwhile, CEO Hutson remains elusive since the breaking story of the controversial
transfer of seven Education Officers, including six women, from Region Three.