THE Amerindian community of Santa Mission/Aratak, in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), will benefit from a new primary school built by the government at a cost of $18.3M.

This is part of government’s ongoing thrust to enable residents of hinterland and remote communities to acquire the same level of education and comfort that is provided to students on the coastland.

The administration has recognised that the community’s student population has been steadily increasing, as such a bigger and modern school was needed to accommodate them.

The school is concrete structure (80 feet by 30 feet) and will accommodate over 200 students. Construction started in November last year and is almost completed as only minor works remain on the sanitary facilities. The school is earmarked for commissioning during next month.

The community currently boasts over 400 residents with about 120 being primary and nursery students.

Residents and students of the community expressed gratitude to the administration for providing the much needed primary school.

Project Manager/Contractor, J.P Mangal noted that former Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues, was very instrumental in getting the additional works done for the school.

The school will be serviced by a reservoir that has an 8,000 gallon capacity. The original cost for construction was $14.3M however, a reservoir was needed to service the school facilities and an additional $4M was allocated for this purpose.

The community at present has a wooden primary school which can only accommodate 90 students. This structure will be repaired and used for other purposes.

Santa Mission/Aratak is approximately 70 miles from Georgetown. The economic activities of the community include logging, farming, handicraft and tourism.

The new Santa Mission Primary School is part of a series of schools built by the government to provide proper educational facilities to hinterland students.

Some 900 nursery, primary and secondary schools have been built or repaired by creating a more conducive environment for teaching and learning.