THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) in the near future vows to collaborate more with the Ministry of Education, so as to have students understand and drive the use of the metric system (SI) system.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the GNBS, Lloyd David, said the International System of Units is the modern form of the metric system and is the most widely used system of measurement in the world.

“It comprises a coherent system of units of measurement built on seven base units. It defines 22 named units, and includes many more unnamed coherent derived units. To keep aligned with the rest of the world, all of Guyana needs to make a concerted effort to adopt and use metric units of measurement in trade transactions and in other measurement practices,” David said.

The GNBS official said that in 2002, the metric system (SI) became the legal system of measurement in Guyana. The seven base units of the legalised system are the kilogram for mass, metre for length, Candela for light, seconds for time, mol for the amount of substance, Ampere for electric current and Kelvin (degree Celsius) for temperature.

He explained that the decimal nature of the metric system makes it so simple to use. Yet, many consumers continue to request their products and services in imperial quantities and this is a key hindrance to full adoption of the metric system.

The GNBS he said has recognised that adoption of the metric system should start from the top – policy-makers, ministries of government and government agencies should lead the metric drive.

David explained that having recognised the importance, the policy-makers have developed and published an action plan for implementation of the metric system. Significant emphasis will be placed on this plan going forward and all stakeholders must support the initiative for success.

“At the other end, our school system has already fully adopted the use of the metric system and the younger generation has a good understanding of its application,” the PRO said.

As Guyana’s economy repositions itself with the wealth of resources, David said the GNBS has to push in all facets to be on par with global practices, including those related to measurements.

“It is a fact that today almost all of the countries in the world use the metric system, especially in scientific research, manufacturing and trade. Only a few countries still use the imperial system of measurement or a combination of both measuring systems, which include Guyana,” he said.

Nevertheless, he said most of the local sectors have fully adopted the use of the metric system, even though there continues to be a wrestle between the two systems in the retail sector.

“The GNBS will continue to explore the best means of educating and imploring those in trade to use the metric system and ensure that metric measuring instruments are verified and calibrated for accuracy,” David said.