Ramadharsingh tackles school dropouts

Caroni Central MP Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh plans to tackle high school dropouts in his constituency from tomorrow. He said he wants to set up a meeting with school principals to look at amicable solutions.  Ramadharsingh, who is also the Minister of the People and Social Development, was speaking with the Sunday Guardian after he launched a road paving project in Cashew Gardens Phase 1 on Thursday.   

Ramadharsingh’s comments came following a revelation by the Minister of Education that 4,000 students had dropped out of the education system.  He said members of his Caroni Central executive plans to hit the road as early as tomorrow to get feedback from schools and community leaders on attendance at schools and the progress of students on the road to tertiary education. Ramadharsingh said the team will meet on Tuesday to discuss the matter. “We find the issue alarming. We plan to focus on children and the youth,” he said.

Cashew Gardens 1 suffering for good roads

Speaking about the road-paving programme, Ramadharsingh said the people of Cashew Gardens Phase 1 suffered for more than a decade because of PNM neglect. He said while the people pleaded with the last government for relief, their cries fell on deaf ears while at the same time the PNM regime pumped resources into Cashew Gardens Phase 2.  Ramadharsingh said his first encounter at Cashew Gardens occurred shortly after coming into office when he had to deal with illegal squatters entering the community.

Ramadharsingh said despite the actions of the past, both communities should work together to find amicable solutions to problems in their communities. He called on community members to keep and eye out on young people, especially students, to ensure that they don’t fall through the cracks. Ramadharsingh said he plans on getting his young constituents involved in Sunday afternoon programmes for their upliftment. Dr Alen Sammy, Chairman of the Land Settlement Agency, said equipment for the project was borrowed from the Chaguanas Borough Corporation. He said the roadway would be graded, levelled and paved.