Dr. Roopnaraine says… President’s College to be revived – funding for Critchlow Labour College to be

PRESIDENT’s College will be restored to its former glory, Education Minister Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine has said, promising that under his tenure he will work to lift the standards of as many schools as he possibly can.The school founded by then President Forbes Burnham, was opened in 1985, but unfortunately the President died before its opening.

It was intended to be an elite school with the top two per cent of pupils who sat the Secondary School Entrance Examination (SSEE) (the name of the Grade Six Assessment then) being awarded a place there. Today, this criterion is no longer enforced. President’s College now has a different focus, allowing entry to pupils in far-flung communities who did well at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). These students reside at the college but non-resident students, particularly those in the catchment area of Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, who meet the requirement, also attend the top school. Though the school remains one of the top schools on the East Coast of Demerara, its standards have rapidly deteriorated and is now a far cry from the true purpose behind its establishment. Some two years ago, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) blamed the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), which was in power at the time, for the poor state of the school. “It is disgraceful, and a reflection of the approach to education by the PPP/C that the Minister of Education allows this premier school of excellence to show such signs of neglect and abandonment, just as Guyana prepares to observe Education Month 2013,” the party had said. But then Education Minister Priya Manickchand had dismissed the contention as “a very political, self-serving statement.”

PROMISES She nevertheless promised some fundamental changes in management of the school, which she promised would bring significant improvements.

President’s College will be restored to its former glory, says Education Minister, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine

However, the promises were nothing more than promises. Dr. Roopnaraine told the Chronicle that he would like to see the school refurbished, revived and re-energised. “I like the design of President’s College; some will say that it was for the glorification of the President. The President himself benefited from a real good education and he understood the importance of quality education. I would like to see President’s College return as a top school in Guyana. It will be returned to the inspiring institution it was, guaranteeing the children the best, the best that the country can offer,” the minister said, pointing out that “I will be very happy to do it.” But he said that President’s College will not be the only school for improvement, pointing out that his intention is to create as many top schools as possible in the country, so as to cultivate a culture of excellence in the education system. Dr. Roopnaraine, who was Principal of the Critchlow Labour College but was forced to resign after the PPP/C Administration withdrew the annual subvention, also said that the grant will be restored to the college. The Critchlow Labour College was established in 1967as the education arm of the trade union movement. It was named after the late father of the local trade union movement, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow The college provides pre-university courses in industrial relations, business, sociology and a Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate programme for school leavers who need to obtain those qualifications. There were plans to introduce associate degrees, but these had to be halted because of funding issues.