The National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) has created the opportunity for stakeholders to partake in a symposium that looks at the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT), as a key driver in re-tooling the education system, towards delivering high quality education and learning opportunities.The two-day symposium themed “Innovation explosion in education delivery,” opened on Tuesday at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston. In attendance were Minister within the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport Nicolette Henry, Chief Education Officer (CEO) Olato Sam, Director, NCERD Jennifer Cumberbatch, Regional Education Officers (REOs), heads of department and head teachers. The symposium is aimed at creating a discussion forum for hastening the building of ICT infrastructure and capacity for Guyana’s educational system, by bringing together the stakeholders of the educational sector, with the aim of reflecting how to transform, diffuse and adopt ICT within the system.
Delivering the feature address, Minister Henry noted thatGuyana, must similarly strive to harness information, communication and other technologies, in education to transform the economy and society. She explained that Guyana’s future depends on all Guyanese and in this regard, technology in education is an equaliser, giving all the opportunity to contribute to this goal of a strengthened Guyanese economy. “It is recognised that an investment needs to be made in the education of our future citizens, an investment that would reap a reward in future generations, who would be armed with the tools of the 21st century, to be able to compete globally and thrive locally.”
Minister Henry noted that the technology in teaching and the innovation that would be introduced and highlighted during the symposium can reach a wide base of pupils. “In this country we can produce architects in Aishalton, doctors for Parfaite Harmonie and Albouystown, scientists from Vreed-en-hoop and Charity, and innovators and entrepreneurs from Georgetown and New Amsterdam, and everything between,” she noted. In his address, Sam counselled the stakeholders that in paving the way forward, they must craft their own niche, and move beyond the stage where the country is constantly borrowing external models then bending them to suit the local realities.
“…the future of our children and grandchildren really depend on the work that we would do over the next few days, the foundation that we will lay. As such I urge you all to approach this with the significance that it has for this nation, and I ask you all to consider yourself champions who would return to your respective realms and champion the cause of ICT in Guyana,” he said.
He also assured that whatever direction is taken by the participants that it will have the support of the Ministry and the Government, as there is very great interest from the highest level of the administration in moving forward the agenda of ICT in the education system. He pointed out that no less than President David Granger had declared publically that ICT has to be one of the major drivers of the system going forward. Cumberbatch in her address issued a challenge for Guyanese teachers to take the lead in using technology, and to make changes in educational practices that prepare students for the future. She noted that in achieving this objective, teachers must be provided with consistent support and extensive training, and in this regard, the symposium is continuing the laying of the ground work for this to happen.

(GINA)