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Education Month starts with a bang
- Minister Baksh emphasises importance of partnerships


Georgetown, GINA, September 2, 2011
Source - GINA

Education Ministry stakeholders assembling at Parade Ground, Middle Street for the rally in observance of the start of Education Month 2011

The Education Ministry along with many of its stakeholders including students, teachers, educators, parents, GTU officials and Ministry Managers took to the streets of Georgetown to officially commence celebrations for Education Month 2011 under the theme “Transforming Guyana through Science and Technology in Education.”

The procession started at Parade Ground (Independence Square), Middle Street and moved along Carmichael, Lamaha and Camp Streets before ending at Queen’s College for a rally under the theme “Promoting partnership for Education Delivery.”

Education Minister, Shaik Baksh in his address noted that education is a powerful and transformative force which can change the lives of families, individuals and a country.

“We have rallied here today so that the whole country can understand where we are going, what we are doing as we seek to progress our education system in Guyana, and it has moved by leaps and bounds over the last couple of years,” Minister Baksh emphasised.

Education Minister, Shaik Baksh; Permanent Secretary, Phulandar Khandai; Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam and Assistant Chief Education Officer-Primary, Melcita Bovell lead the procession for the start of Education Month 2011

Steps are on-going, by the Ministry for the modernization of Guyana, the Minister posited. “Guyana has only been modernized through the system of education which we have worked so hard on,” he added.

Minister Baksh reiterated that all the partners of the Ministry have worked hard towards contributing significantly to the creation of change and development. These include school and education managers, Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA), school boards, alumni, the Cyril Potter College of Education, the University of Guyana and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), UNICEF and UNESCO.

He emphasised that the Education Ministry and its partners have a pivotal role to play to ensure that youths have access to quality and equitable education that will enable them to be Guyana’s future leaders. The education system is responsible for moving the nation forward through the instrument of the teaching service.

The Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) was well represented by the first batch of students enrolled in the Associate Degree in Education (ADE) programme

“The investments that are being made are second to none in the world, the Caribbean and in Latin-America… the Government has a strong vision as to where education must take this nation,” the Minister stated.

Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam applauded all education stakeholders and emphasised that today’s activity is a way of reaffirming that education is alive and vibrant.

“The message is clear; we need to pull together as one people for the development of this nation and the education system is at the top of the agenda for progress and development in Guyana,” Sam said.

Student of Stella Maris, Osei Clark performing a cultural piece titled ‘Education’

He added that partnership is crucial and it must be recognised that every individual has a role to play in changing and improving the future for all Guyanese children. In advancing this point, Sam illustrated the role of parents, social workers, community members, and the hard working teachers who need additional support for their efforts.

Sam stressed that the while the Ministry has clearly defined goals and expectations for improvement, there is need for support from everyone who can contribute
If the proper foundation is not laid the pupils will sooner or later come ‘crashing down.'
September 3, 2011 | By KNews Letters


Dear Editor,

The world’s greatest manual, the Holy Bible unequivocally states that we are to study to show ourselves approved. The Almighty God does not in any way imply that humans are to sit back and have things given to them on a platter; for “in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread” (Genesis 3:19).

Why then are contrary practices to the above being allowed in the Guyana education system. Why are pupils who have not obtained the requisite marks or percentages in academic subjects being promoted to the higher levels; in particular at the Primary level which provides basic education?

If the proper foundation is not laid the pupils will sooner or later come ‘crashing down’. Let’s parallel what is happening in the education system to that of erecting a building on a sub-standard foundation. What happens next? You have guessed correctly. There is going to be a calamity. Yes, chaos in the society.
What happens when the wider society is infiltrated with illiterate persons? It is so difficult to reason with such persons. They often seem to lack patience or understanding. They lash out at you for no reason. They think with their fists or their mouth rather than their brain, hence, there is increased quarreling, fighting and yes, bloodshed.

The situation is further compounded when they have to do a job. They know not how to read, be it a book or the newspaper, sign their name or even read the cheque they worked for. Can they positively impact on the next generation? I do not think so. The persons in question may be able to cope with the manual tasks: but what happens when reading or comprehension are involved?

I therefore urge those in the decision making forums of the Guyana education system, to consider the decision to have ‘No Child left Behind’ at the Basic or Primary level repealed.

At least allow those pupils of Grade One who have not performed adequately in Literacy and Numeracy to repeat the programme.
Most often, pupils who repeat here never have a reason to repeat again. I am living proof of that fact and after being in the education system for thirty-four odd years I write from the vantage point of experience.

In so doing, Guyana is ensured of producing pupils who do not have to join the alarming statistics of those who eventually “drop out of school” because they were unable to cope in the school system. Please seriously consider the views expressed above before it is too late.

Geneva A. Thomas
Retired HM
Tola

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