by Samuel Wens
BROKOPONDO — Brokopondo High (BpH), a six-year-old ‘independent’ secondary school in the Brokopondo district, will be opened in a festive manner on October 1. We start with sixty students, divided over three classrooms. The emphasis will be on interactive and digital education, critical thinking and skills that match the current labor market.
The initiative for the school was taken by the Brokopondo Traditional Authority platform. It is financed and operated by the Suriname Environmental Mining Foundation (Semif) chaired by ex-minister Linus Diko.
“The students no longer have to go to the city for further education, which is unique for the district”
Intent
The school will have a lower and upper secondary school. Students in the third year will be allowed to take the entrance exam for VWO, HAVO and Natin, with the option of moving directly to the upper grades. This means they no longer have to go to the city for further education, which is unique for the district.
Director will be Rose Simons. She has worked in education for more than 38 years, of which 35 years in independent education. “Semif asked me to set up and manage BpH because of my successes and work achievements in education,” says Simons, who brings her experience to her new job.
The teachers will be further trained to meet the demands of modern education. As with the other private high schools that comply with the national education program, only the educational part of Brokopondo High falls under the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.
Modern equipment
The complex, located on the corner of the Weg naar Brownsweg and the Weg naar Nieuw-Koffiekamp, will be fenced and there will be camera surveillance. The police will be asked to keep an extra eye on security.
All rooms have air conditioning and the aim is to have a reliable internet connection due to modern internet-controlled equipment. The technical equipment and school furniture are donated by Rosebel Gold Mines/Zijin. Collaboration will be sought with the Medical Mission so that teachers and students of the school can go to the outpatient clinic in Brownsweg in urgent cases.
