EDUCATION Minister Shaik Baksh, in his 2010 review of the sector, said he was satisfied with the implementation of policies, programmes and initiatives.
The minister reported an increased focus on organisational and management capacity with 12 cadets now qualified graduates who are responsible for assisting in strengthening the management of the education sector and the central ministry.
This is good news because for quite some time there was a lack of proper management of schools and even the central agencies within the education sector.
The education system is central to the development of a nation because it is responsible for not only imparting academic training and technical skills, but also inculcating the right attitude and discipline for one to become successful in life and make a positive contribution to nation building.
Proper management of the education sector is therefore of vital importance and must be constantly in focus.
Another extremely positive revelation by Mr. Baksh was that one of the ministry’s main activities will be the production and broadcast on television of educational programmes.
This new television channel will be dedicated to broadcasting programmes throughout the country via the use of satellite communications technology. Broadcasting is expected to commence during the first quarter of 2011.
This is a wise move as the electronic medium could be an effective means of providing education. In fact, in many countries it is being increasingly used for educational purposes.
While Guyana has many private television stations, it is unfortunate that they hardly air educational programmes and therefore, in this regard, they are not helping the education process and ultimately national development.
It is not surprising though that the education system is showing significant improvement because the government, recognising the vital importance of education to national development, since its assumption to office has been allocating increasing financial resources and paying great attention to the education sector.
Today, education is no longer regarded as a privilege but rather a fundamental human right. Normative instruments of the United Nations and UNESCO lay down international legal obligations for the right to education.
These instruments promote and develop the right of every person to enjoy access to education of good quality, without discrimination or exclusion.
These instruments bear witness to the great importance that Member States and the international community attach to normative action for realising the right to education.
It is for governments to fulfill their obligations, both legal and political, in regard to providing education for all of good quality and to implement and monitor more effectively education strategies.
In this regard, the Guyana Government has certainly been working assiduously to fulfill its obligations to the education sector.