MP Pokie challenges Bouterse

President Desi Bouterse should formulate an effective youth policy for the Brokopondo District. Complimenting the district for its contribution to national development is commendable but the least the central government could do is to create opportunities for the local youths,” said MP Diana Pokie (ABOP). “A secondary school for junior level education (VOJ) which is under construction at the village of Brownsweg has turned into a hostel. Young kids, homeless people and drug addicts gather there. Schools that are located in the center of Brokopondo and the other parts of the district look neglected,” said MP Pokie who is also a licensed teacher. She added that the district desperately needs a second VOJ school. It has become very common to see youths roaming the streets and hanging in front of local stores and other locations. “We need to tackle the drop out issue in the Brokopondo District.” MP Pokie challenged President Bouterse to raise the education sector in the sector to a higher level at the same speed as the government used to mobilize services and institutes to give the district a face lift prior to the celebration of Independence Day on November 25. “You have shown us that anything is possible. In the past it was impossible. When one calls to the District Commissioner’s Office and asks if a creek can be dredged, one is told that it is impossible because there are no machines available. But we have seen with our own eyes that there were many machines at Brownsweg within a short period of time prior to Independence Day. So it is also possible to build a VOJ school at Brownsweg this school year even if it has not been included in the budget,” said MP Pokie.