Project launched in Buxton/ Friendship to target slow learners & high achievers

[www.inewsguyana.com] – First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger launched the ‘Buxton/ Friendship Remedial Education Project’, also referred to as the ‘Buxton Youth Development Project’, at the Friendship Primary School on Monday, September 21.

The project, which is a pilot, focuses on slow learners as well as the high flyers to ensure that their academic performance is not only improved but also sustained.

iNews understands that it will cater to students from the Buxton/ Friendship area and will involve the collaborative work of the Friendship Primary and the Company Road Primary Schools.

A release from the Ministry of the Presidency noted that among those present at the launch were Chairperson of the Region Four Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Genevieve Allen; the collaborators of the project, Mr. Maurice Wilson and Mrs. Jocelyn Wilson; former Headmistress, May Hamer and University of Guyana’s lecturer, Phenela Abrams.

The project will target students from Grades 1 to 5, as well as second year Nursery School students. With a target of 250, the project has already seen 110 students registered to attend the remedial classes. Special emphasis will be placed on students who recorded 45 percent and less in their recent examinations, while the high flyers will also be given guidance and tutoring in any weak areas.

Classes will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 15:30hrs to 17:00hrs at the Friendship Primary School, with plans apace to begin classes at the Company Road Primary soon. In the meantime, a bus will be provided to transport children from the Company Road Primary School to the Friendship Primary School, so that they can begin to benefit from the programme.

Each child will be provided with a meal before the start of class. Depending on the success of this pilot project, other communities will be targeted for similar initiatives.

The First Lady said that the idea was borne out of discussions with the villagers on what project was most needed in the community. Mrs. Granger said that once the project was identified, meetings were held with Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, members of community based sport and youth groups, Churches and other Buxtonians who are in the field of education.

She told those gathered that while she has launched the project with the help of the stakeholders, it is now their responsibility to ensure that it becomes a success and serve the academic needs of the children, for which it is intended.

She also implored on Buxtonians to take advantage of the opportunity, while urging parents to ensure that they play their part in encouraging their children to utilise the opportunity to the fullest.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Region Four RDC, Genevieve Allen pledged a consignment of books from the Regional Administration to help ensure that the project is a success.

Additionally, Reverend Paulette Hannibal, a resident of the area, praised the implementation of the project, noting that a new day has broken in the village for children.