EDUCATION Minister Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine is plugging the importance of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) to the development of the education system, while calling on fathers to play a more meaningful role in the lives of their children.He made the pitch yesterday as Education Month got under way with a vibrant launching ceremony at the Theatre Guild in Kingston, Georgetown, under the theme: ‘Quality Educational Leadership: Improving Schools from Within.’
This year’s theme underscores the necessity for effective leadership to assist in the proper delivery of education.

KEY MINISTRY
Dr. Roopnaraine in an invited comment to this publication, said he expects that at the end of the month-long event, the nation should become familiar with the enormous task that the Ministry of Education has, given that it is the key ministry.
He also disclosed that as part of the activities, he will be visiting communities to have one-on-one discussions with parents in an effort to put them at ease regarding any of their reservations.
Meanwhile, all schools will be subjected to audits in relation to the performance of their PTAs.
These issues, he said, will be the focus of Government’s undertakings that will be placed in the new strategic plan and the final draft of the Education Bill that will be taken to the National Assembly for deliberation.
During his address at the launch, the Minister of Education reiterated Government’s approach to charting the way forward in the education system. The new Administration has already reviewed and made amendments to several initiatives that were established before it came into office.
Both the old and new initiatives will be placed before the approved National Education/Advisory Council which is soon to be established to advise on the Ministry of Education’s Vision 2020 Education Policy for the growth and development of the sector.
Focus will also be placed on how technology could be used in the education sector for the management and delivery of service to advance hinterland education reform.
This year’s list of activities holds minimal alterations against last year’s activities and theme: ‘Literate by Grade Four Through Consistent Home, School and Community Involvement.’
READING FAIR
Stepping away from the routine distribution of electronic devices such as laptops and tablets, the new Administration, under the Ministry of Education, will be supplying books to all homes, schools and churches countrywide next week during its reading fair on Main Street, in an effort to lift the literacy level.
There will also be a launching of Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development (CCESD) at NCERD on September 10, followed by a seminar for education leaders countrywide at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre at Liliendaal the following day.
In addition, there will be a launch of the Guyana Early Childhood Education project to push for early learning in infants. The other activities comprise rallies, debates, symposiums, technology fairs and an award ceremony for loyal students and teachers. (Shivanie Sugrim)