Education is vital for social and economic development-President Ramotar

AS Education Month gathers momentum under the theme “Literate by Grade 4 through consistent home, school and community involvement,” the Ministry of Education held its annual ‘rally and march’ yesterday from Parade Ground to the National Park.

Thousands of students from nursery, primary and secondary schools turned out to march; the students converged at Parade Ground and walked through several streets before gathering into the National park where they met more students.
President Donald Ramotar, who graced the occasion, noted that this celebration is part of Education Month but it also has deep meaning to all Guyanese since the world that we live in today demands a strongly educated population. He spoke directly to the secondary school students explaining to them that “you are at a very important juncture in your life you are just on the eve of entering into adulthood; just on the eve of entering into our work force and you need to be ready and prepared to make a contribution to national development.”

“You are at a very important juncture in your life you are just on the eve of entering into adulthood; just on the eve of entering into our work force and you need to be ready and prepared to make a contribution to national development”-President Ramotar

The President related to the students that this stage in your life is very important and he urged them to take every opportunity given to them to study and educate themselves “to earn tomorrow you have to learn today”.
Mr. Ramotar related that for our country to grow and develop the Government has invested heavily into the Education sector as this is “vital for social and economic development.” This is why, he explained, that this sector received the largest allocation of budget 2014.

The President added that this year “we saw the largest enrollment into our nursery schools” explaining that with the changing world the need for our children early involvement is necessary. He also expressed satisfaction that Guyana has attained Universal primary education and are now pursuing to achieve universal secondary education. Ramotar said, “this is why we are building more schools and our challenge now is to raise the quality of education and I put the challenge out there to all our teachers”.
“I urge you let us work together; let us take the opportunities that are given to you and move our country to great heights,” President Ramotar urged as he concluded his address.
Education Minister Ms. Priya Manickchand said that today and during this month the country is given the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment in developing Guyana by educating the population. She explained that the ministry has worked tirelessly to pen workable strategies so as to conquer illiteracy and make sure that our children are literate by grade 4. She also urged parents and guardians that “we cannot do this alone we need your help; we need every single person to play their part”.
“We promise you today my friends that we will work hard in the Government; we will work hard in the Ministry of Education to realise this promise that all our children will be literate by Grade 4.” Ms. Manickchand emphasised. She noted that if “we don’t work together” this dream cannot be realised.
The Education Minister exhorted everyone as she concluded to play their part and join the ministry in their drive to make Guyana’s children literate by grade 4.

(By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)