While US$ 42.5 million is still available for improving education in Suriname, several schools are facing overdue renovations, inadequate sanitation facilities and problems with the delivery of school furniture.
The new school year has already begun, but not all educational institutions are fully ready to receive pupils and teachers under optimal conditions. Renovations have not yet been completed at several schools. At others, work has been carried out without essential facilities, such as toilet blocks, being addressed. According to Currie, the ministry is discussing this with the contractor concerned. The problems must still be resolved.
Millions available, but implementation remains a challenge
According to the minister, US$ 42.5 million remains available from the social fund for improving educational infrastructure. Of this, US$ 15 million is intended for the renovation of existing schools and US$ 15 million for new construction. A further US$ 10 million has been reserved for school furniture and teaching materials, while US$ 2.5 million is available for digitalisation.
Although the tenders have now taken place, this does not yet guarantee that all schools will have the necessary facilities in the short term. Implementation and logistical organisation remain major points of attention.
A notable bottleneck is the transport of school furniture. According to Currie, sufficient furniture and teaching materials are available, but the ministry has only two vehicles to deliver them to schools. This causes delays in supplies, while educational institutions need sufficient materials precisely at the start of the school year.
Schools had to report shortages
To determine the extent of the problems, Currie asked school principals to assess the situation at their schools by 15 October at the latest. Any shortages must be known to the ministry by 22 October at the latest. The assessment must make clear which schools are still facing deficiencies and which facilities need to be addressed as a priority.
That the problems are affecting the progress of education is evident, among other things, from the situation at a school in Nickerie. It was unable to begin classes on 1 October. According to the schedule, the school was to start on 15 October after all. The Miranda Lyceum in Paramaribo also requires attention because of necessary renovation work.
Teacher shortage and digitalisation increase challenges
In addition to the physical condition of school buildings, the shortage of teachers remains a major problem. The minister is working on measures to make more teaching staff available. At the same time, the ministry wants to invest in the digitalisation of education. Major infrastructural improvements are still needed for this, especially in the interior.
Currie stresses that providing computers and other equipment is not sufficient. Teachers must also be guided in the use of digital educational resources. The ministry therefore wants to consult with Telesur and Datasur on possibilities for making better use of existing digital infrastructure.
Investments must become noticeable at schools
Currie has already visited schools in Paramaribo and Brokopondo to personally assess the conditions. Visits to Moengo and Albina are also planned. In January, he wants to visit Coronie, Wageningen and Commewijne, among other places.
The available US$ 42.5 million offers opportunities to address some of the existing problems. The question, however, is how quickly the funds can be converted into concrete improvements.
For pupils and teachers, the result will ultimately not be measured by the amounts available, but by the condition of their school buildings, the availability of sufficient furniture and the quality of the facilities they have to work with every day.
