$50M school for Ptolemy Reid children commissioned

[www.inewsguyana.com] – President Donald Ramotar along with Education Minister Priya Manickchand and Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh on Monday (January 20) commissioned a brand new school building at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre to the tune of $50M.

The Head of State said the facility is very important as it will serve to strengthen capacity and resolve to bring hope and purpose to those students who will utilize it.

He reiterated that the main objective of his Administration is to lift the standard and quality of living for all Guyanese.

“The most important factor for development is people that are why we have to ensure that we constantly develop our human capital” he said.

He said ensuring that the vulnerable in society achieve their full potential is not only a humanitarian effort but also a practical economic issue.

“The more we empower citizens to be production is the grater their contribution to national development will be.”

Meanwhile, Education Minister Priya Manickchand expressed the view that the Government has done well in addressing the needs of the vulnerable and weak population, where they are now at a stage of contributing in the process of development.

She pointed to specific interventions by the Government to bring relief to senior citizens and children adding that a slew of Bills have been passed in the National Assembly to ensure protection and care for the two groups.

She said that over the next five years the administration will be looking to give special attention to the needs of vulnerable children, adding that, extensive consultation will be done to ensure that the differently abled benefit from the best there is to offer.

“This is only the beginning, because when we look back five years from today it will be the worst special education needs would have been, even though today it is at its best,” Manikchand said.

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to more investments of this ilk.

The Government provides an annual subvention and professional staff, while the board raises funds both locally and externally to finance its operations. A main source of funding is also provided by donations from numerous NGOs, the private sector and the public at large.

The Center is also celebrating 47 years of dedicated service to persons living with disabilities. The Centre currently provides services including dormitory, daycare, orthotic and prosthetic appliances, audiology, special education, vocational training, occupational, speech and physiotherapy.

The Centre currently has 7 teachers, 2 aids and 65 children with plans afoot to ensure the recommended ratio of teachers meet children.