Students were urged to be  good ambassadors of their schools and the Ministry of Education as the Department of Education in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara) launched the first phase of its annual work study programme  at the Collette Newland Hall, West Demerara Secondary School.
According to a press release, the first phase begins today, and ends on July 30th, while the second phase runs from Tuesday, August 3, to Friday, September 3.
Present at the gathering, the release stated, along with parents and the 75 students drawn from across the region, were Regional Educational Officer Ms. Marlyn Jones-O’Donoghue, District Education Officer (secondary) Ms.Annesta Douglas, who will serve as coordinator, Mr. John Adams, Mr.Hamant France and Mr. Keith Sampson, all of whom would supervise the five-week attachment at various agencies across West Demerara.
Jones-O’Donoghue, speaking at the orientation exercise, urged the students to display good work ethics and noted that a good and healthy work environment requires courtesies, discipline and good attitudes.
The Regional Education Officer also stated that the work study attachment has realistically helped students to better conceptualise the working environment.
She pointed out that it is a deliberate attempt at preparing students to be knowledgeable, flexible and multi-skilled.
Noting that over the years hundreds of students became bona fide members of different organizations at different levels within the organizational structure, the education official said that she was very pleased that other agencies came on board to assist in preparing the future work force.
Ms. Douglas urged the students to comply with the rules and regulations of the agencies as she emphasized the importance of regularity and punctuality.