President's College

President's College
School of Excellence
Location
Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, Guyana
Information
Type Public, Boarding school
Established 1985
Principal Yonette Chichester
Colour(s) Purple
Information +592-229-2230

President's College is a senior secondary school located in Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, Guyana.

Contents

History

When it opened in 1985, it was the first boarding school in Guyana and the only secondary school to use a more comprehensive and selective application process. President's College was founded by the late President of Guyana Forbes Burnham, who launched the project in 1983 but died before the school opened.

Potential students were selected from the top two percent of candidates in the Secondary School School Entrance Examination (SSEE), and subjected to an evaluation process including interviews with school personnel. School admission policy has since changed, students are allowed to transfer into President's College and preference is given to students from more remote areas. The school also allows students to attend without being residential, thereby functioning as a boarding and a day school. These and other policy changes have been controversial, but have led to more students attending from schools that are outside of Georgetown. The population of the school is one of the most - if not the most - diverse of all the schools in the country, because its students come from all over the country.

On April 26 2004, a large fire destroyed the boy's dormitory resulting in $45–$100 million in property damage, but no injuries or fatalities. As a result of the fire, more than 100 hundred students had to find alternative housing, usually off-campus. Reconstruction was started a year later but was delayed due to the floods of 2005. In June 2006, the Ministry of Education announced a new plan for rebuilding the dormitory and blamed their current contractor for the delays.

While the reputation of the school has been affected by allegations of mismanagement and some degree of intolerance, President's College continues to produce students who excel in their respective fields both in Guyana and internationally.

Life as a Student

Life as a student at President's College or "PC" is an unforgettable experience. At the school the students do not learn only to be academically independent but also socially.

Notable alumni

References

External links