Capital spending on Education exceeded $3.1B in 2006 - official
Kaieteur News
February 13, 2007
The education sector effectively utilised its budget during last year.
This is according to a senior official in the Ministry, who noted that capital spending exceeded $3.1 billion.
Last year saw the continued implementation of the Basic Education Access Management Support (BEAMS) Programme, on which over $1 billion was expended to expand school infrastructure and improve school performance, organisational and human resource capacity.
Infrastructural achievements included the construction of the Aurora Secondary School ; the complete rehabilitation of Bladen Hall, Charlestown and North Ruimveldt Secondary Schools ; substantial rehabilitation and extension of Lodge Secondary School ; and the extension of the Tutorial Secondary School . In addition, a contract for the construction of the Diamond Secondary School was signed.
The computerised Educational Management Information System was also developed, and an information technology governance framework was established.
Another $800 million was expended in the execution of the Education for All - Fast Track Initiative, with the focus being on institutional strengthening of the hinterland schools; improving school facilities; and the provision of textbooks and child-friendly classrooms.
Meanwhile, under the Guyana Education Access Project, $100 million was used to continue works on the Wisburg Secondary School in Linden . Other aspects of the Ministry's capital programme, on which another $435 million was expended, included the rehabilitation of a number of nursery, primary and secondary schools throughout the country; procurement of furniture and equipment; and activities in furtherance of the technical/vocational programme in schools, the official said.