Roopnaraine should investigate matter of missionaries preaching in Georgetown schools

Dear Editor,

With reference to the letter captioned ‘Who gave an American missionary permission to preach in Georgetown schools?’ (SN, March 21), I would like to thank Ms S Nageer for highlighting the issue.

On the assumption that it did occur, it is imperative for the Minister of Education, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine to launch an immediate investigation to get to the bottom of this matter, as it flies directly in the face of a pronouncement made by Dr Roopnaraine shortly after he was appointed when he was quoted in the press as denouncing attempts by various school heads to have Christian prayers said at assembly meetings in the public school system. Whoever took the decision to allow this abomination should be disciplined, if not fired.

Minister Roopnaraine should please note that as a Hindu I have no confidence in Ms Nicolette Henry following her failure to appreciate the difference between Diwali and Phagwah during a recent presentation she made at a public forum.

I have been very concerned about this issue having seen for myself while at school that various headmasters tried in subtle or even overt ways to force students of other denominations to recite Christian prayers. Given that approximately 50% of the population is nonChristian, this situation is untenable and must not be allowed to continue, hence I call on right-thinking Guyanese to denounce this occurrence which is by no means an isolated one.

Editor, I would like to throw out the question via your medium as to how it is possible for so many young male Caucasian missionaries to be granted visas/work permits to carry

out their proselytization activities which are certainly an affront to myself as a Hindu.

I look forward eagerly to hear from the Minister of Education on this along with the Ministries of Public Security and Ministry of Social Cohesion as if this type of ‘colonization’ is allowed to continue it will definitely breed resentment on the part of other faiths. Yours faithfully, Chris Persaud