According to the initiators, Brokopondo gained its first secondary school on Thursday, October 1, with the opening of Brokopondo High (BpH). The six-year private educational programme offers young people the opportunity to continue their education closer to home after primary school. Funding comes from the Suriname Environmental and Mining Fund (SEMIF).
The initiative for the school comes from the Platform van Traditioneel Gezagdragers van Brokopondo (Platform of Traditional Authorities of Brokopondo). According to the platform, sustainable development of the district begins with educating its own population. The school is intended to prepare young people for further education and enable them to contribute to the development of Brokopondo later on.
The initiators deliberately chose a private education model. Through this, they aim to promote the continuity of education, the availability of qualified teachers and good educational facilities.
Although Brokopondo High is a private school, parents will not have to bear the education costs themselves, according to the information provided. Based on their school performance, students may qualify for a scholarship through SEMIF’s scholarship model. They are expected to show commitment and perform well.
Students enrol directly after primary school and can be guided for six years. In addition to the regular curriculum, the school focuses on critical thinking, collaboration, digital skills and problem-solving.
There are also plans to further expand the school complex. The approximately 16-hectare site is planned to include student housing, an auditorium, sports facilities and an agroforestry system, combining agriculture with trees and other vegetation.
SEMIF was established under the mineral agreement of 1994 and is intended, among other things, to contribute to the sustainable development of natural resources. According to the fund, education is an important part of this.
According to the initiators, the school was established through cooperation between SEMIF, the Platform van Traditioneel Gezagdragers van Brokopondo, Rosebel Gold Mines, the ministerie van Onderwijs, the Kabinet van de President and the district commissioner of Brokopondo. They expect that, in time, the programme will provide more young people with the knowledge and skills to support the district’s further development.
