— Minister Cathy Hughes tells Tutorial High graduating class of 2016

MINISTER of Public Telecommunications, Kathy Hughes has urged the Tutorial High School Graduating Class of 2016 to learn ‘everything they could’ about Information Communication

Technology, telling them that in so doing, a promising future awaits them in the world of work.

And ideally, a lot of the students find themselves in a distinctly advantageous position, since Tutorial High School was among the first schools in Georgetown to have been connected to the national fibre-optic Internet network.

Minister Hughes made these remarks as she delivered the feature address at the school’s graduation ceremony last Wednesday, where keenly enthusiastic graduands, teaching staff, schoolmates, supportive family members and other distinguished invitees were gathered to share in celebrating their accomplishment and seeing them off to higher heights.

Having been given such a jump start, and having benefitted from fully outfitted science laboratories, the minister expressed the hope that the graduates would be able to build on these achievements.

Minister Hughes also told the graduates that the doors of opportunities in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector are always open.

“This field already has doors open for you in the world of work. If you are technically inclined, learn how to fix and assemble laptops, iPads, and cell phones. Study computer engineering and the world will be your oyster. If you are a creator, you will find a lot of work in the computer software industry – in programming, applications/apps or creating children’s learning tools and games … and you will have the means to establish your own business.”

ICT is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application, encompassing: radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as videoconferencing and distance learning.

“We have moved from desk-top computers with a mouse to IPads, notebooks and smart phones; from face-to-face interaction to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. Now we’re on our way to real, lucrative competition with the rest of the world,” said Minister Hughes as she noted the advances made in ICT over the past decade.

Admonishing the graduands that there’s no time to waste, the minister cautioned them that the world is moving along very quickly; technology is advancing at an amazingly fast rate and should not be left behind.

Several certificates and trophies were distributed to the outstanding students.
Valedictorian Joshua Grant attained passes in 12 subjects at the CSEC examination, securing 8 Grade Is and 5 Grade 2s.

He is currently a Grade 12 student at the Queens College with a view to pursuing a Natural Science programme at the University of Guyana.

Joshua is the son of Earl and Simone Grant of Republic Park, East Bank Demerara and is the fifth of six siblings. Moving on from Tutorial he asserts, “I am really going to miss this school because it has given me the motivation to realise my God-given potential and achieve more than I thought I could have achieved. I am grateful to God; my teachers who worked hard with me and inspired me; my parents, supportive siblings and my classmates with whom I shares good times.

Quoting from the Book of II Timothy Chapter 2:15 which says, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth, Joshua says: “So my encouragement to others is to put God first in anything that you do; be dedicated; be hard-working and apply yourself in whatever you have to do and you will see Him come through for you.”