THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) yesterday launched a three-pronged programme that would be delivered mostly through the distance mode to improve the academic status of soldiers at all levels.
The Academic Education Programme (AEP) will be executed at the remedial, foundation and CXC levels.
Speaking at the programme’s launch at Base Camp Seweyo on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, Chief-of-Staff (COS) Commodore Gary Best said the programme is a fulfillment of the force’s pledge to support the education of youths, and it authenticates the commitment of President Bharrat Jagdeo, to promote the education and development of the Force’s ranks.
Commodore Best said the programme is very important since soldiers’ promotion and other forms of upward mobility will be conditioned on the successful completion of the requisite promotional examinations, which, itself would require successful completion of the programme.
The five-week remedial aspect targets applicants who failed the Force’s entrance examination. It is an instructional programme geared to recognize and correct shortcomings in reading, writing and mathematics.
The Foundation level is designed to improve academic performance, paving the way for the final level, CXC, which is equivalent to the secondary schools’ curriculum for Forms 1 to 5.
At this level ranks will be given the opportunity to pursue the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination (CXC) and beyond.  English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Physical Education, Spanish, Integrated Science and Social Studies are included at this level.
The programme will serve to augment the efforts of the Education Ministry and other agencies that are working to enhance youths’ academic status.