$89M nursery school for Martyrs’ Ville

A new nursery school with modern amenities, which will also accommodate facilities for persons living with disabilities, will be constructed at Martyrs’ Ville, on the East Coast of Demerara.

The sod-turning ceremony for the $89 million project was held on Tuesday; once completed, the school will assist with the overcrowding at the Mon Repos Nursery school as it will be able to accommodate some 270 children.

Parents told the News Room that they have to walk the one mile to access the Mon Repos Nursery and so they are happy with the construction of the new school.

“We are much grateful so our kids don’t have to walk far to the other nursery school. I have my own car, but normally kids does be walking, so if I pass by I does stop and give them a drop, so this is a better opportunity with the school opening at the back here,” Priya Ramdhari explained.

Another resident, Sandra Pitambar said once the school is completed, her granddaughter will be transferred.

“She normally walks and sometimes we take taxi, we would like her to be here because we live in the same street. I am happy for the children and I am so excited about it,” Pitambar stated.

The school is expected to be completed within eight months and will also include a vast playground for the children.  The contract to construct the school was awarded to Doodnauth Construction and Supplies, but the project will be managed by the ministry’s engineering department.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, during remarks, said that while nursery education is not compulsory in Guyana, there is a high enrollment rate of over 80 per cent.

“That tells us that Guyanese parents take their children’s education very seriously. We insist not only will you have a comfortable classroom to sit but you will receive a quality education when you get there,” the Education Minister said.

Also present at the ceremony was Attorney-General and Minister of Leagl Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, who stated that with two new housing schemes being developed in the area, the new school is essential for the community.

Nandlall further stated that the singular access road to Martyrs’ Ville is now inadequate and as such, a new access road will soon be constructed.

“I should tell you as well that we are building an access road that will provide a new access to Agriculture Road from the most southern part of Martyrs’ Ville, a road that vehicles can use with a bridge,” Nandlall said.