… to reduce poverty and raise quality of life
THE recently developed Science and Technology Master Plan has recommended the marrying of science with technology to reduce poverty and raise the quality of life of the citizenry.

The draft plan, which will be tabled before Cabinet, stipulates that advancement in this direction would require more attention to science and technology in the school system. The Education Ministry has been making efforts in this regard.

“The pivot of this will of course be the education and training of teachers; first to understand the power of science, and then to be able to effectively impart it to all segments of the population, starting with the pre-primary and primary levels.

“The intention is to raise a science culture where the attitudes implicit in scientific discourse and actions are acquired by all in the society, thereby creating a more tolerant, patient, respectful and productive citizenry,” the plan states.

It was noted that Guyana needs to further accelerate the instillation of a knowledge society as expressed in several notable development plans, and improvement of the country’s capability in science and technology will facilitate this task.

For this to happen, the country’s research and development capacity and capability will have to be deepened, expanded and energised, to gain targeted technological skills to address local issues, and develop capabilities to identify, select and transfer foreign scientific insights and technological methods.

It was reasoned that these aspirations must be placed against the fact that Guyana has a small population with a large natural resource endowment. This means the science and technology community will inherently be below what is considered a critical mass in other jurisdictions, and must rely heavily on outside information.

Transfer of technology and foreign scientific results will become necessary to boost innovation and competitiveness as the country moves forward, the plan noted. It said such an information system with arms abroad should be constructed to identify, follow, select, translate, package and deliver the data, information and knowledge where they are required.

“Because 80 percent of Guyana is rainforest, the plan to move to a low-carbon development strategy makes ample good sense and should be fully supported by science and technology interventions. Expertise in biodiversity, bio-security and bio-development are of prime importance,” the plan stressed.

Guyana, in its quest to reduce poverty and improve its competitive position in production and service, has prepared a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) with complete details on the arrangements and approaches needed to intensify its competitiveness.

Although in the PRSP no direct attention was given to the role of science and technology, this was not the case for the competitiveness strategy document.

Accordingly, it was felt than in reducing poverty, the productive capacity of those struggling to make a living should be given greater access to the tools of science and technology. This makes their efforts more competitive and subsequently increases the productive returns from local efforts and expands and diversifies products and services.

The plan is the culmination of a consultation to develop science and technology as a sector to push development with the ultimate aim of installing a knowledge-propelled society.
This mission was requested by Education Minister Shaik Baksh after it was deemed instructive to develop an overarching science and technology policy and accompanying execution plans, rather than a narrower science policy strictly for education.

Assistance for this effort was provided by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural  Organisation (UNESCO) which was offered in two phases. The first, conducted in 2009, sought to produce a framework document to outline the policy imperatives of the country; and the second, in 2011, sought to design elements of a plan to address these policy needs and concerns by offering options for execution and monitoring, so as to ensure immediate and strategic implementation.

The consultant employed for this undertaking made a number of site visits to communities, companies, institutions and industries across the country, specifically in Regions 4, 10 and 6, with able assistance and guidance from the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD).

Subsequent to these visits, discussions and observations, a framework document of policies was prepared and presented at a dialogue for selected stakeholders. After cabinet’s approval, the draft plan will again be subject to public scrutiny, but this time to all stakeholders, before being finalised.