THE Schools Welfare Department of the Education Ministry concluded its annual camping activities yesterday, at F.E Pollard Primary School in Kitty and Senior Schools Welfare Officer, Mrs. Carol Melville said such activities contribute to the rounded development of a child.
Some 70 children, who recently finished schooling at grade six level, participated in the one-week programme that was hosted for the fourth year countrywide.
Melville said the other city schools involved were North Georgetown, Tucville, St. Sidwell’s, J. E. Burnham, Enterprise and Stella Maris primaries.
She said the objectives of the activity were to provide experiences designed to foster a spirit of teamwork among children in groups and activities that develop their intellectual and creative ability.
Melville said the participants were engaged in basic first aid training, which was conducted in collaboration with Guyana Red Cross Society.
She informed that dancing, drama, poetry and craft were also taught.
“It is not only about getting children back into school but, as far as Schools Welfare Department is concerned, about complete development. With that, we show care for children,” Melville pointed out.
Describing the stint as very successful, she said it offered the children a “start-up” and prepared them for secondary school, particularly in the arts stream.
Noting that parents were very supportive, as they are every year, Melville said the general consensus among education sector stakeholders is that, during the August holidays, students fail to keep up with their studies and, come September, they fall behind their peers in the classroom.