The Ministry of Education has teamed  up with ChildLink, formerly EveryChild Guyana, to introduce the Youth Vision Programme an initiative geared at empowering some 2000 vulnerable youths with the requisite knowledge and skills to realize their full potential. The one year project, which also aims at creating more violence-free schools, is being piloted at the St. Winifride’s, St. Mary’s, Dolphin, Tutorial and the Houston Secondary Schools.
Education Minister Shaik Baksh, speaking at the launching of the programme at the Tutorial High School, said the initiative significantly supports the work of the Schools’ Welfare Department to make schools an environment conducive to learning.
Some 50 teachers, along with 25 youth advocates and 100 student mentors, have been tasked to deliver the programme which is also supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Baksh praised the partnership that his ministry enjoys with ChildLink, and other local and international partners, and more recently UNDP, to improve the outcomes of the education sector, a mission the Ministry of Education cannot accomplish alone.
He also announced that more Guidance and Counselling officers will be placed in the school system to motivate students, build their self-esteem and confidence to perform better in the classroom and enjoy a more harmonious relationship with their teachers and peers.
The minister reported that since the placement of Guidance and Counselling officers at certain schools, violence in the school system has been significantly reduced and the objective now is to maintain and improve the level of discipline established.
He informed teachers at the launch that the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) has recently introduced a series of continuous professional development programmes, including courses to better cope with the varying behavioural patterns of their students.
Baksh encouraged teachers to register for these courses, noting that the knowledge that they will gain will be of great benefit in inculcating positive attitudes, values and behaviours in their charges.
In all this, he said, parents have to play a greater role in their children’s education and behaviour, both in and out of school. The minister noted that while many have come on board in this regard, many are still to do so and it is not too late.
The Ministry of Education will also be introducing students’ councils in the system to monitor the behaviour of students, report on the teaching and learning programmes in the classroom, assist headteachers to devise school rules and policies, and work with schools in enforcing these guidelines.
ChildLink Director Omattie Madray said that the programme seeks to make a concerted effort to protect children from the ills of society and strongly emphasizes the values of child-friendly homes and child-friendly classrooms in the pursuit of quality education.
She also called on parents to develop ownership of the programme which will enable young people exposed to violence and abuse to access psychosocial support that will help them cope with the traumas and improve their chances for a better future.
“ We will provide capacity building for the youths to strengthen their involvement in human rights initiatives and empower them, especially young girls, to exercise their rights while creating the opportunity for them to be equally involved in activities including youth groups, sports and decision-making at all levels. Youths will be trained to become mentors within their respective schools, enabling them to play a leading role in finding solutions to their own problems, thus contributing towards the sustainability of the proposed initiative,” Madray explained.
UNDP Representative Trevor Clerk said his organization is fully supportive of the Ministry’s vision for young people and disclosed that more finances will be disbursed to the ministry for several similar programmes that will come on stream.