Minister of Education Shaik Baksh Tuesday highlighted the significant contribution made by WorldTeach volunteers and expressed gratitude for their selfless sacrifice.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the WorldTeach 2009 Guyana programme at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Minister Baksh stated that the Ministry has been promoting volunteerism as several members of overseas-based Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) such as Project Trust, Voluntary Services Overseas and WorldTeach, come to the country to share their expertise, particularly in science and mathematics.
He noted that a national volunteer programme was started in Guyana, where persons with a sound secondary education would opt to go to schools all over the country, including mountainous and hinterland communities, to teach in various subjects.
Minister Baksh noted that over 40 of these volunteers will be sent out in September as the ministry aims to improve performance in the areas of mathematics and science, at the secondary level in particular.
The Ministry has been upgrading laboratories, providing more text books and elevating teachers’ status to promote science subjects in schools.
WorldTeach is an NGO that provides opportunities for individuals to make a meaningful contribution to international education by living and working as volunteer teachers in developing countries.
The education ministry’s partnership with WorldTeach resulted in a successful re-entry year of volunteer teaching as seven volunteer teachers have been placed in secondary schools.
Mathematics and science were taught in the schools and students participated in projects including environmental and chess clubs, which led St Stanislaus into the National Schools Chess Championship. Tutoring programmes and a running club were also initiated.
The volunteers encouraged an environmental day awareness project at St Joseph High and Diamond Secondary Schools. They also helped to rebuild the technology at Diamond and those deployed to New Amsterdam were volunteering at the orphanage.
Assistant Chief Education Officer for secondary schools, Melcita Bovell, was heartened by the commitment of the volunteers and observed that they have delivered to the schools as well as the communities.
She too expressed gratitude towards those volunteers and stated that they have given a year of dedication and have set an example for others to follow.

WorldTeach volunteer Caroline Mac Rae stated that she was amazed at the natural beauty of the country and the kindness of the citizens.
She noted that the students’ enthusiasm will benefit them as well as the country’s future and expressed satisfaction that the volunteers’ initiatives will help the students have a brighter future.
In 2005, WorldTeach began its first year of service in Guyana, teaching mathematics and science at public high schools throughout the country.   (GINA)