$90M Nursery School opens at Hopetown

Education Minister Priya Manickchand was accompanied by children enrolled at the Hopetown Nursery School on Monday. (Photo: Ministry of Education)

A $90 million nursery school was commissioned at Hopetown, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), on Monday.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand commissioned the school during a brief ceremony and said teachers and children were previously housed at the same location but in a wooden building.

“We want children leaving here literate, numerate and well-rounded, able to interact and play, use their fine motor skills and muscles and be able to go into primary fully ready,” the Education Minister said.

The Hopetown Nursery school. (Photo: Ministry of Education)

The nursery school has 80 children enrolled and a total of nine trained teachers. The minister said these teachers were trained at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) Centre at Belladrum. Manickchand said with extensions done for the CPCE training at different regions, trained teachers increased from 63 per cent to 98 per cent.

“Those teachers themselves are getting better opportunities because once you’re trained, you’re able to get better salaries, they are able to take care of their families better,” the minister said.

The Assistant Chief Education Officer (nursery) Devendre Persaud said a quality nursery programme fosters curiosity, creativity, and communication while helping children build confidence, independence, and positive relationships.

“Nursery education plays a vital role in laying the foundation for lifelong learning and development

“During these early years, children develop essential cognitive, social, emotional, and motor skills that shape their future academic success and personal growth,” Persaud said.