Region Six education officials commend NICIL/SPU for supporting students –says others should emulate

Education is a partnership and therefore all must be involved. This was the assertion of Region Six Secondary Education Officer, Ms Celeste La Rose, as she recognised recent support given to three of the Region’s top Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) performers, compliments of the National Industrial and Commercial and Investments Limited/Special Projects Unit (NICIL/SPU).
According to La Rose, oftentimes persons say they are desirous of lending support but fail to follow through. This was not the case with NICIL/SPU, she said.

Her views were mirrored by the Region Six Regional Education Officer (REdO), Ms Bhagmatie La Cruzo.
She said that although NICIL/SPU’s day to day operation has nothing to do with the education sector, it had taken on the responsibility of not only rewarding the students but offering assistance and support over a sustained period of time. “This is something that pleases me because I can tell you that these students have all demonstrated that commitment, dedication, discipline and hard work certainly pays off,” said La Cruzo
“Despite one’s economic and/or socio-economic situation, they can come out shining and for that, I am excited to see how NICIL/SPU has chosen to reward these students,” said La Cruzo who is eager to see others emulate such level of support to the education sector.

Echoing the view of the REdO, La Rose made a passionate appeal for other companies and individuals to come on board, noting that her department cannot do it alone. She said that recognising the students when they have excelled is important as it can prove to be a motivating factor.
“I call upon parents too, to recognise that they need to continue supporting their children. Regardless of how brilliant they (students) are, they cannot do it alone, they need the support and encouragement of everyone so that they can continue to excel,” La Rose said,
She, however, said that it’s important that the students, who were recently recognised by NICIL/SPU, to not lose sight and remain focused by attending school regularly and keeping their grades up.
The students who recently benefited from the NICIL/SPU support were: Pawan Ketwaro and Chitra Ramdeen, who both scored 520 marks, and Marissa Siriram who got 514. The students are the children of former or current workers of the Guyana Sugar Corporation. Ketwaro and Ramdeen were awarded places at Queen’s College and Siriram a place at The Bishops High.
Although NICIL/SPU through its Chief Executive Officer (ag), Colvin Heath-London, had committed to supporting the children to attend the Georgetown schools, they have all opted to attend the Berbice High School. The students were also the recipients of bag packs containing books and stationaries; $60,000 to open a savings account, a weekend trip for themselves and parents to either the Berbice Inn or Watooka Guest House, support with textbooks and monthly financial contributions to ensure that their transition into secondary school is a comfortable one.