THE Department of Education, Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) last week launched “Education Month’ with a prayer breakfast at its offices Plantain Walk, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara. In attendance were Regional Chairman Mr Julius Faerber, Deputy Chief Education Officer, Administration, Ms Donna Chapman, Regional Executive Officer Mr Paul Ramrattan, Regional Education Officer Ms Marlyn Jones-O’Donoghue, other regional and education officials, some of whom delivered brief messages.
All the messages underscored the importance and value of education in a changing environment.
Regional Chairman Julius Faerber referred to government’s One Laptop Per Family project as a step in the right direction that gives meaning to this year’s theme: “Transforming Guyana through Science and Technology in Education”.
Deputy Chief Education Officer, Administration Donna Chapman in her presentation urged educators to be agents of change noting that education month may be the appropriate time to undergo self introspection.
She told the audience that it is absolutely necessary for all educators to reposition themselves so that children can become literate and numerate. Noting that Health and Family life education form part of the schools’ curriculum, Chapman challenged the regional education department to ensure that the subject is fully implemented in all schools. She posited that this will aid children in making sound decisions which ultimately will have a positive impact on society in general.
Regional Executive Officer Paul Ramrattan in his message stated that education and training on a continuous basis is a sure way if Guyana is to keep abreast with new technologies. He further said that the regional education department has a meaningful role to play and called on education officials to display a deeper sense of commitment and dedication.
He reminded the audience that government’s policy on education is one that emphasizes the right to quality education and stressed that a collective and holistic approach is pivotal to the delivery of quality education.
Meanwhile Regional Education Officer Marlyn Jones-O’Donoghue outlined all the activities planned for education month. These include face the community meetings, operation care campaign, spelling bee competition, poetry reading competition, dialogue competition, photographic and craft exhibitions, parenting seminars, impromptu speech competition, among others.
Jones-O’Donoghue noted that education is an invaluable ingredient for life and posited that all stakeholders in the education sector have to come on board to meet the new challenges resulting from modern scientific and technological changes.