– tells hundreds at annual science and technology fair
COGNIZANT of the fact that science and technology are crucially linked to transforming the political, social and economic landscape of Guyana in the 21st century, Government has remained steadfast to its commitment of promoting these disciplines. To promote science and technology, the Ministry of Education held its annual Science and Technology fair at its Sports Complex, Carifesta Avenue.
Present at the opening ceremony were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Education Shaik Baksh, and other officials of the ministry and partner agencies, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and UNESCO.
Prime Minister Hinds told the many students at the opening ceremony of government’s commitment to further investing in the development of science and technology in the mainstream of Guyana’s development.
“The Government of Guyana has always encouraged partnership among citizens, aimed at promoting growth and development…I would also like to commend the more than 55 private sector organisations that have partnered with government ministries and agencies in responding to the Ministry of Education’s call,” the Prime Minister said.
This partnership, he said, shows the degree to which Guyanese have grown to recognize the need for continuous nurturing and development of young people for a better Guyana.
“We can be truly mystified, looking at today’s wonder of science and technology; computers and communications equipment, particularly in the last 30 years with the growth of cell phones and their convergence with computers and ipods…they are all really amazing,” Prime Minister Hinds emphasised.
Science and technology, he said, also play an important role in the development and sustenance of various sectors, including those of agriculture and health.
In bio-technology, there are programmes to improve crops and livestock, to increase production and ensure food security, Prime Minister Hinds informed the gathering.
“Today, everything we use has been improved by the application of science or technology…and we should be amazed and aware that all of these in the world today are products of people going back 2000 to 3000 years ago,” the Prime Minister explained.
He emphasized that Guyanese should learn about the history of science and technology so “that we too can feel challenged to make our contribution”.
The Government of Guyana, he said, has understood that a good grasp of science and technology by its entire people is important for nation building, and “the steady achievement of education training in science and technology in all of our schools, at every stage, is one our main aim to improve our academic standards.”
In this regard, Prime Minister Hinds said the PPP/C Government has made and will continue to make major financial commitments, having already allocated resources to equip and upgrade 30 percent of the science laboratories in secondary schools throughout Guyana.
“UNESCO has selected Guyana as the second country after Jamaica to pilot the micro-science kits in 14 secondary schools across Guyana,” Prime Minister Hinds said.
He commended the Education Ministry for satisfying the mandate to increase and improve the offering of science and technology at all levels of education in Guyana, and also for its achievement and progress in equipping 81 secondary schools with computer laboratories.
Minister of Education Shaik Baksh said that one of major goals in the five-year education strategic plan is the promotion and expansion of science and technology in the education system.
“Several things have happened over the last five years in ensuring that science and technology takes it rightful place in the modernisation of our country, including the establishment of the Guyana Learning Channel, the One Laptop Per Family Programme, and the fibre optic cable from Brazil ” Minister Baksh noted.
Government, he said, has been making great strides at all levels of the education sector.
These investments, he said, are to ensure that the children of Guyana grow up in an environment where science and technology is second to none.
“Teacher training is pivotal to the expansion of the science and technology programme…we trained over 3000 teachers in these two fields last year, and this year, 2000 more teachers will be trained…we have also introduced technology in the day to day classroom. ”
The fair is part of activities in observance of Education Month 2011, under the theme “Transforming Guyana through Science and Technology in Education”.
The fair attracted the participation from several companies, including E-Networks, NT computec, Digicel, Global Technology, and the National Milling Company of Guyana.
The event provided hundreds of students with the opportunity to view exhibits of communications
devices and equipment, including computers, radio phone and solar panels. (GINA)