THE Education Ministry, in observance of Education Month, has planned a list of activities that will aid in advancing the efforts of the ministry in ensuring productive citizens with the ability to aid the country’s modernization thrust. The activities run from September 1 to October 5 under the theme “Transforming Guyana through Science and Technology in Education.” The selection of this theme is important since it will have tremendous impact on the transformation of Guyana.
Education Minister, Shaik Baksh noted that this year the ministry is seeking to highlight the work of the education sector in the promotion of science in the school system and this includes Technical and Vocational Education Training centres, Cyril Potter College of Education and the University of Guyana, in particular. The latter has benefited from a US$10M loan from the World Bank to support science and technology, at the tertiary level.

Activities for education month will commence with a rally starting at Parade Ground and ending at Queen’s College where the minister will address the gathering that will consist of key  stakeholders in the education sector- Parent Teachers’ Associations, School Boards, teachers, students, Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) officials  and other sister ministries.

Minister Baksh pointed out that another major event is the science and technology fair and symposium which will be held on September 16 at the Ministry’s Sports Complex on Carifesta Avenue. This exhibition is expected to have 50 booths set-up by both the private and public sectors and will see scientific and technological displays. The symposium will have key persons in the science and technology field from the University of Guyana, Education Ministry and private sector making presentations.

Within the month there are two international days, namely, ‘International Literacy Day’ which will be celebrated on September 8, throughout the regions, where reading tents will be set-up and educators will be speaking on literacy development and, ‘International Teachers’ Day’ on October 5, when Minister Baksh, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam and GTU President  Colin Bynoe will speak on the role of teachers in the education system.
Assistant Chief Education Officer Melcita Bovell reiterated that, over the last few years, focus has been placed on literacy. As such, apart from the reading tents, book clubs and book quizzes will be launched at the Providence Primary School on September 5.
Additionally, GT&T is coming on board with a number of other partners to facilitate a national spelling bee competition that engages all Grade 5 students, an activity that will be held at the Theatre Guild on September 12.

She noted that students who have attained 98% and more for school attendance will be awarded for their efforts. This is the third year this award is being issued, and each year there has been a growing number of students who are attending school more regularly.

Other activities include the JOF Haynes’ debate, sports encounter, GUYAID essay competition, steel pan showcase and school garden competition at the nursery, primary and secondary levels and are in tandem with the President’s food security thrust. It will be judged both regionally and nationally and will instil in students the importance of tilling the land.

The month will end on October 5 with a national award ceremony where all outstanding students who wrote the National Grade Six Assessment, Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC), Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and Guyana Technical Education Examination (GTEE) will be awarded. (GINA)