THE truism that education makes a nation still holds sway and has relevance today. Several hundred graduated recently from both the University of Guyana and the Cyril Potter College of Education.

These figures come at a time when the state of our education system is undergoing reform, given its importance to empowerment of citizens, nation-building, and development. Congratulations to the students who have started their studies, who will no doubt make great sacrifice in pursuit of more and/or higher learning. The society must also devise a way to retain these new skills, since the development of every nation is hinged on its human capital.

Education is community/communal driven, and according to the African proverb, “It takes a whole village to raise a child.” The success of education depends on the involvement of all. The government conceptualises, develops, and implements policies, programmes and laws by which the private and public school systems are bound. Teachers/educators play their role in the classroom setting. Parents/relatives partner with the school in ensuring that the needs of students are met and that students honour their obligations. Neighbours look out and over the children’s conduct. Civil society also plays a role through workshops, seminars, donations and other forms of action.

This nation came from a past in which the education policy was driven by a colonial outlook of moulding and nurturing citizens to be in service to the values set by the Crown. With independence came the shift, preparing citizens for an indigenous approach consistent with our needs, growth and development. Guyana transitioned to a country in which reality was shaped and skills and abilities were developed on a local identity; events and requirements for nation-building, inclusive of awareness/knowledge of external events, likewise informed our education system.

As the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was established, with Guyana being a member and later with the institutionalisation of the Caribbean Examinations Council, there was standardisation of an education model suited to the developmental foci of the Region.

It would not be remiss to say that, in a standardised environment where Caribbean English is built off the British system, inclusive of spelling, the jostling of American English and British Caribbean English has been challenging for our children. For example, where other Caribbean countries still retain the “s” in spelling the word organisation, in Guyana, the USA “z” is used instead in public documents and media. As simple as it may seem to some, this undermines standardisation, since it poses a challenge for students to identify right spelling from wrong spelling; acceptable usage from unacceptable usage.

As the education system is revisited, the importance of diverse training and education of citizens to play their role in personal development and nation-building should be factored in. The education of academics, professionals, technically skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled are all important and deserve equal attention and respect for their labour and contributions to development. Each has a role to play, and each ought to be given the opportunity to be the best in whatever field is pursued.

Discipline is also an important element in education and development. And while conversations continue on the merits or demerits of corporal punishment in schools, it cannot be lost sight of that discipline plays an important role in human development; a disciplined person is a productive person. Outside of corporal punishment, school sports play a role in instilling discipline, respect for authority, team-spiritedness, determination, and focus to achieve goals. These influences help students to be responsible and to lead productive lives. Fixing the education system requires a holistic approach and each must be prepared to play his/ her part.