Gov’t thrust to decentralize education continues – Prime Minister - at opening of $427.5M Leonora Technical Institute opening
Georgetown, GINA, November 21, 2011
Source - GINA
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds inspects equipment to be used in the mechanical engineering workshop of the Leonora Technical Institute and Vocational Training Centre
The current administration in its thrust to continue the decentralization of services such as access to education amongst others continues and today Prime Minister Samuel Hinds officially opened the Leonora Technical Institute and Vocational Training Centre at Groenveldt Leonora, Region Three.
The Institute was constructed at a cost of $427.5M and has a capacity to house 250 full time students and 200 part-time students.
The Institute is also outfitted with an Information Technology Laboratory outfitted with 60 computers, along with other laboratories which will see students being trained in areas such as mechanical and electrical engineering, welding, carpentry and masonry.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds cuts the ceremonial ribbon to declare open the Leonora Technical Institute and Vocational Training Centre
Prime Minister Hinds said that the opening of the facility is reflective of the number of programmes and policies government has enacted over the years to take development at all locations across the country, and in so doing has decentralized the services that were available to those residing in Georgetown.
“Government is pleased to see one of its programmes activated and is hopeful that the youths take full advantage of the opportunity to advance their education,” Hinds said.
Minister of Education Shaik Baksh said that today was a proud day for Region Three and the current administration as his government has fulfilled yet another promise.
“Over the past ten years there have been movements in all directions of the education sector, inspite of what those with negative outlooks say,” Minister Baksh said.
A section of those gathered for the opening of the Leonora Technical Institute and Vocational Training Centre
Minister Baksh also said that the construction of the Technical Institute and Vocational Training Centre at Leonora and another in Region 5 is a Government of Guyana in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank project valued at US$9.6M. This, he says is added investment for the education sector which will see untold number of Guyanese benefitting and having access to quality education, and for students who are more technically inclined, they too, can safeguard their future because of such initiatives.
“We have narrowed the skills gap in Guyana as every year investments were made to technical institutes and skills training centers, for them to have a more practical delivery of courses which will see, not only school drops outs, but also those technically inclined, being granted the opportunities to fulfill their studies,” Minister Baksh said.
The facility’s computer laboratory
These Technical Institutes and Skills Training Centres which now number 11 such in varying areas of the country, enable students to be trained in 10 different subject areas: secretarial science, informational technology, masonry, carpentry, agriculture, motor mechanics, and electrical installation amongst others.
Minister Baksh indicated that although much was done for the visible advancement of technical and vocational education, more so in the country’s educational system, “much more would have to be achieved over the coming years as the pathway has been defined and the vision is clear, the implementations of the education programmes are strong and they have been laid,” Minister Baksh said.
“Over the 20 years we have increased the number of students writing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examinations (CSEC) from 5000 in 1992 to over 12,000 in 2011… More access, more completion of secondary education… in terms of the curriculum, we have broadened the curriculum so that students have a wider range of options,” the Minister said.
An exterior view of the facility
Chief Education Officer Olato Sam said that the opening of the facility is yet another avenue used by government to contribute to its broader national developmental goals and objectives, as Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) remains critical to the process of national building and with that in mind “ we have expanded the scope of training in the school system along with the implementation of other programmes and initiatives which has today been recognized as having the single most significant impact on reducing pre-existing rates of drop outs at the secondary level,” Sam said.
Sam also said that over the past four years, the education system has realised greater percentages of pass rates in its national and regional examinations, and, “ with clearly defined pathways that will facilitate a seamless transition from students of secondary schools to well positioned institutions of higher learning to access greater degrees of civilization… We eagerly look forward for the day that every secondary school student, writing CSEC can do at least one TVET subject as they are now required to do English and Mathematics.”
Regional Three Chairman, Julius Faerber expressing gratitude for the significant contribution to the region said that “our children no longer have to travel to Georgetown to access technical schooling but rather can now access same in their own region…This will bring significant financial relief to the parents of such children…It will also help technically the students to find skills areas of their interest, receive training in that particular area so that they can contribute economically towards the continued development of their families and society,” Faerber said.
Three contracts valued $480 M were signed in June for the supply of office equipment and furniture for the (TVET) centers at Leonora and at Park, Mahaicony, Region 5.
Georgetown, GINA, November 21, 2011
Source - GINA
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds inspects equipment to be used in the mechanical engineering workshop of the Leonora Technical Institute and Vocational Training CentreThe current administration in its thrust to continue the decentralization of services such as access to education amongst others continues and today Prime Minister Samuel Hinds officially opened the Leonora Technical Institute and Vocational Training Centre at Groenveldt Leonora, Region Three.
The Institute was constructed at a cost of $427.5M and has a capacity to house 250 full time students and 200 part-time students.
The Institute is also outfitted with an Information Technology Laboratory outfitted with 60 computers, along with other laboratories which will see students being trained in areas such as mechanical and electrical engineering, welding, carpentry and masonry.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds cuts the ceremonial ribbon to declare open the Leonora Technical Institute and Vocational Training CentrePrime Minister Hinds said that the opening of the facility is reflective of the number of programmes and policies government has enacted over the years to take development at all locations across the country, and in so doing has decentralized the services that were available to those residing in Georgetown.
“Government is pleased to see one of its programmes activated and is hopeful that the youths take full advantage of the opportunity to advance their education,” Hinds said.
Minister of Education Shaik Baksh said that today was a proud day for Region Three and the current administration as his government has fulfilled yet another promise.
“Over the past ten years there have been movements in all directions of the education sector, inspite of what those with negative outlooks say,” Minister Baksh said.
A section of those gathered for the opening of the Leonora Technical Institute and Vocational Training CentreMinister Baksh also said that the construction of the Technical Institute and Vocational Training Centre at Leonora and another in Region 5 is a Government of Guyana in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank project valued at US$9.6M. This, he says is added investment for the education sector which will see untold number of Guyanese benefitting and having access to quality education, and for students who are more technically inclined, they too, can safeguard their future because of such initiatives.
“We have narrowed the skills gap in Guyana as every year investments were made to technical institutes and skills training centers, for them to have a more practical delivery of courses which will see, not only school drops outs, but also those technically inclined, being granted the opportunities to fulfill their studies,” Minister Baksh said.
The facility’s computer laboratoryThese Technical Institutes and Skills Training Centres which now number 11 such in varying areas of the country, enable students to be trained in 10 different subject areas: secretarial science, informational technology, masonry, carpentry, agriculture, motor mechanics, and electrical installation amongst others.
Minister Baksh indicated that although much was done for the visible advancement of technical and vocational education, more so in the country’s educational system, “much more would have to be achieved over the coming years as the pathway has been defined and the vision is clear, the implementations of the education programmes are strong and they have been laid,” Minister Baksh said.
“Over the 20 years we have increased the number of students writing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examinations (CSEC) from 5000 in 1992 to over 12,000 in 2011… More access, more completion of secondary education… in terms of the curriculum, we have broadened the curriculum so that students have a wider range of options,” the Minister said.
An exterior view of the facilityChief Education Officer Olato Sam said that the opening of the facility is yet another avenue used by government to contribute to its broader national developmental goals and objectives, as Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) remains critical to the process of national building and with that in mind “ we have expanded the scope of training in the school system along with the implementation of other programmes and initiatives which has today been recognized as having the single most significant impact on reducing pre-existing rates of drop outs at the secondary level,” Sam said.
Sam also said that over the past four years, the education system has realised greater percentages of pass rates in its national and regional examinations, and, “ with clearly defined pathways that will facilitate a seamless transition from students of secondary schools to well positioned institutions of higher learning to access greater degrees of civilization… We eagerly look forward for the day that every secondary school student, writing CSEC can do at least one TVET subject as they are now required to do English and Mathematics.”
Regional Three Chairman, Julius Faerber expressing gratitude for the significant contribution to the region said that “our children no longer have to travel to Georgetown to access technical schooling but rather can now access same in their own region…This will bring significant financial relief to the parents of such children…It will also help technically the students to find skills areas of their interest, receive training in that particular area so that they can contribute economically towards the continued development of their families and society,” Faerber said.
Three contracts valued $480 M were signed in June for the supply of office equipment and furniture for the (TVET) centers at Leonora and at Park, Mahaicony, Region 5.
