President David Granger, for the third time in two years, has announced more adjustments to his Cabinet with Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine now assuming responsibility for the Public Service under the auspices of the Ministry of the Presidency. Minister within the Ministry of Education, Ms. Nicolette Henry, will take up the role of the Minister of Education. Further, a Department which will oversee the innovation and reform of the Education sector will be established within the Ministry of the Presidency under the purview of the President.
This is according to information disseminated by the Ministry of the Presidency.
Nicolette Henry
It was revealed that Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, was the one to announce the changes earlier today during the lunch break of Cabinet meeting. He said that adjustments are geared at ensuring that better educational and public services are provided to the Guyanese people in a smooth and efficient manner.
“The President, this morning, briefed Cabinet that he had a discussion with Dr. Roopnaraine yesterday and after that discussion, it was agreed that Dr. Roopnaraine will be reassigned from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of the Presidency with specific responsibility for the Public Service. The President further briefed Cabinet that a Department under the Ministry of the Presidency will be created to oversee innovation and reform in the education sector. This Department will be under the President. In the meantime, Minister within the Ministry of Education, Minister Nicolette Henry will continue to perform the functions of the office of the Minister until further notice,” he said.
The appointment of Dr. Roopnaraine will take effect from June 15, 2017. He will continue to be a member of Cabinet and a Member of the National Assembly.
Minster Harmon said that the Head of State has full confidence in his Ministers’ abilities to fulfil the new responsibilities to which they have been assigned. “He continues to have full confidence in Dr. Roopnaraine as a valued member of Cabinet as well as a valued member of the National Assembly and it is felt that overseeing the Public Service would add to the quality of service, which is provided to the people of Guyana,” Minister Harmon said.