Latest update November 14th, 2024 8:42 PM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Satellite Campus is one small step for Aishalton and Region 9, one giant step for UG

Jun 26, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

The headline, “Historic! MoU takes UG Satellite Campus to indigenous Aishalton Village,” (Newsroom, June 24, 2024) is to be celebrated as this initiative is one small step for Aishalton/Rupununi and Region 9, and one giant step for the University of Guyana reaching out to contribute to equity and parity in education in the remote and hinterland areas. Hopefully, this initiative will reach all regions outside of Georgetown and Region 4.

I call on our Government to give full support and funding to this bold initiative of the University of Guyana. There was a time when higher education was a rationed item for a lucky few, restricted from the masses, and implemented under “ivory towers” approaches. The University was aloof from the village people. In modern times, in our current digital and information age, everyone can have universal access to higher education. The internet has become a great equalizer. The UG initiative should spark more concerted efforts to improve internet access to Region 9 as well as Regions 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, and in places in the other areas where internet service is poor and not quite affordable. Free internet access across Guyana would be a nice Government goal for the people of Guyana. Let’s have “One Guyana” in internet access. Do it for the children and people of Guyana!

The bigger multiplier effect of this UG Satellite Campus at Aishalton is the potential to arrest the flight of residents out of the remote regions. I understand when our people of Amerindian descent and people from rural communities come out to Georgetown to attend UG, the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), or the “town” schools, many do not want to go back to their communities when they graduate. If we do not arrest this trend, those rural communities will be depleted of key human resources necessary to promote development there. Government’s planning in rural communities must be designed to reduce the “push” factors and accentuate the “pull” factors. The provision of educational opportunities is definitely a key “pull” factor that helps in the retention of our people in the hinterland regions. We must also provide the related services in education, health, economic development, agriculture, public works, regional development, administration of justice, etc. People should receive all Government services efficiently in their own regions and within the same timelines as the Georgetown/Region 4 folks. It should not take longer in the regions. Digitise all operations in a hurry to push such efficiency.  Change colonial era rules and procedures to speed up approvals, payments, and implementation of projects. To keep teachers and Government staff there, we must provide housing, transportation, hefty allowances, and every incentive to make those communities viable.

I prefer the UG presence at Aishalton as local content, superior to the GOAL providers. Thanks to the VC and UG leadership team for such a great initiative. Maybe, do the same in the other remote regions too. I wish this project very well. Let’s make sure it succeeds for Region 9.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jerry Jailall

Civil Society Advocate

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 11th, 2024

 

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Guyana Beverage Inc. on board with Petra to host 8th Annual Girls U11 Football Tournament

Guyana Beverage Inc. on board with Petra to host 8th Annual Girls U11...

Nov 14, 2024

  Kaieteur Sports- As excitement builds for Saturday’s kickoff, Guyana Beverage Inc. through its Koolkidz brand has joined the roster of sponsors supporting the Petra Organisation’s MVP...
Read More
GFF launches NAMILCO/Maid Marian Wheat Up Women’s Cup

GFF launches NAMILCO/Maid Marian Wheat Up...

Nov 14, 2024

Semi’s bowls off tomorrow with double-header at Providence 

Semi’s bowls off tomorrow with...

Nov 14, 2024

NO SURPRISE!!

NO SURPRISE!!

Nov 14, 2024

More support for Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”.

More support for Project “Cricket Gear for...

Nov 14, 2024

Guyana to participate at 2024 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup

Guyana to participate at 2024 FIBA 3×3...

Nov 13, 2024

Features/Columnists

  • Poor Power Planning (PPP)

    …Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- Planning has long been the PPP/C government’s pride and joy. The PPP/C touts it at rallies,... more

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]