Rally in thrust to broaden stakeholders’ participation
THE portfolio Ministry, in keeping with the thrust to broaden stakeholders’ participation, will be hosting a rally on September 2 under the theme ‘Promoting Partnership for Education Delivery’. A ministry release said the event is part of activities to observe Education Month 2011 and will bring together students and the various partners, attired in jerseys reflective of the theme and assembled at Parade Ground (Independence Park) in Middle Street, Georgetown.
After leaving the assembly point, the marchers will make their way to Queen’s College (QC) compound where they will be addressed by Education Minister Shaik Baksh.
According to the release, in a previous statement, he had said, while considerable efforts are being made to continuously improve the sector, all stakeholders, parents in particular, have an important role to play as the task at hand cannot be adequately handled by the ministry alone.
Mr. Baksh emphasised that the message has been “catching on” and the ministry will not rest until all parents recognise and embrace the importance of education to their children’s development, as well as the development of the country.
The minister noted, too, that the Health, Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Local Government and Amerindian Affairs Ministries, along with international agencies, such as Pan American Health Organisaiton/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and several local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have come on board in support of the work of the Education Ministry.
He said it is never too late for parents to get more involved in their children’s education and assured that the ministry remains steadfastly committed to work in the best interest of the nation’s children.
In addition, parents can also do simple things to improve the outcomes of their children in the classroom, such as reading to them, making sure that they do their homework, attend school regularly and punctually and monitoring their behaviour both in and out of school, Baksh added.
Apart from the need for parents to get more involved in their children’s education, he said that more guidance and counselling officers will be recruited to make schools more violence free environments.
Recently, students’ councils have been introduced to give learners a greater voice in the decision-making process of their respective schools and the ministry is also placing more attention to physical education, drama, dance and sports, to ensure rounded students in the school system.