Manickchand disputes smart...

comprehend how this administration would choose to close the regional offices of Community Development and Social Management division which kept this vital infrastructure in working order.” She added, “The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted just how important the infrastructure the APNU+AFC left in place is,” and “the fact that this Government has paid scant attention to it for the benefit of ordinary Guyanese is unacceptable.”

Manickchand in response to the former Minister’s statement said that the only school listed by Hughes, which has a smart classroom, is Queen’s College, where a smart classroom was commissioned last week. In the release, the Minister branded Hughes’ representation as “an absolute falsehood” which was unnecessary and “presents a worrying picture of depths” the APNU+AFC is prepared to sink to desperately “reinvent themselves from being the inefficient, incapable and uncaring government they were.” The ministry further exhorted Hughes to avoid disseminating such information as it relates to the children’s education as it can serve no useful purpose. Manickchand also informed that the government is in the process of building and setting up 20 smart classrooms which will benefit from mass online teaching and will be equipped by utilising equipment which was placed in storage.

This newspaper was able to speak with students who attend four of the schools Hughes listed and they explained that the schools do have access to the internet. Students from Brickdam Secondary, Leonora Secondary, and President’s College, pointed out that there is not an actual smart classroom in the schools but that students have access to the library and Information Technology room. A student from Brickdam also said that there are projector screens which are used by teachers and can be used for similar activates as a smart classroom would provide. Students at Queen’s College said that prior to this year there was not a smart classroom installed at the school.

It was also confirmed that government technical and vocational institutions as well as community offices have access to the E-government network, as Hughes stated.

The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board on Tuesday opened bids for the procurement of dietary items, janitorial supplies and other essential items under the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. These projects each attracted over 10 bidders.