Copping awards in almost all three categories
STUDENTS from Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) dominated this year’s GUYAID Essay Competition, copping awards in almost all of the three categories of the contest. During the awards ceremony held at the National Centre for Research and Development (NCERD) last Thursday the winners as well as the other participants were rewarded and recognised for their participation in the annual event, held in collaboration between the Ministry of Education and GUYAID (Guyanese Assisting in Development).
Chief Education Officer, Olatto Sam, in his address to the young contestants, expressed pride at their courage and willingness to participate in the competition, which he noted serves as a stepping stone in promoting academic excellence.
In explaining the value of edification, Sam emphasised that “education is the salvation from ignorance and the liberation from poverty” and encouraged those in attendance to always seek to achieve the best that they can.
He also expressed the hope that the competition will expand to include even greater participation from schools across Guyana and encouraged the organizers to work diligently to achieve this.
Meanwhile, GUYAID representative, Ms. Deborah Blackmore noted that once again, the organisation she represents is honoured to partner with the Ministry of Education to host the annual event which started in 1993.
There were three categories in the competition, Under 12, Over 12 and Over 14 years; in the first group, first and second place were secured by students of Sheet Anchor Primary, while third place went to a student from Cropper Primary in Albion, all in Region 6.
Their essay was titled, ‘A day in my Life as the Executive President of Guyana’.
In the Over 12 category, writing on the topic, ‘Health and Family Life Education is of Great Importance,’ Komattie Persaud from Abram Zuil Secondary in Region 2 (Pomeroon Supenaam) secured the top position.
Felicia Collins of North Ruimveldt Secondary, in Georgetown placed second and Ashminie Jaundoo from Tutorial Academy in Region 6 came third.
The final category saw essays on the topic, ‘Enhancing Information Communication Technology- a National Imperative’, where Hasena Tahal, also from Tutorial Academy placed first, while Sarah Aneesa Hakh  of Abram Zuil and Jason Chandebal of St. Stanislaus College placed second and third respectively.
The winners were presented with plaques, while all the participants received certificates of participation and gift certificates, redeemable at Austin’s Book Store.
The essay writing competition has been held annually for the last 15 years and GUYAID has been collaborating with the Education Ministry from the very first year.
GUYAID is a charitable, non-profitable organization based in the United States which has supported needy children, seniors and victims of natural disasters in Guyana, the Caribbean and the U.S.
One of the objectives of the organization is to promote education in Guyana.