THE University Of Guyana (UG) Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE), in its quest to spread the light of learning, opened a branch at Charity, on Essequibo Coast, recently. A release from the Education Ministry said the building houses a computer training centre and will be offering courses in Mathematics, English and other subject areas for adults and students who did not perform well at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.
The Charity branch compliments existing centres in New Amsterdam, Berbice and Georgetown.
UG Bursar, Mr. Lloyd Seeram, speaking at the opening, lauded the Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) Administration for its role in establishing the centre, noting that it will be of great benefit to Essequibians.
He said UG is working to install telephone lines on the premises, so that the computer laboratory receives internet access.
Seeram pointed out that several back-ups will be available to ensure that there is no hold-up or constraint in the delivery of the information technology (IT), when any of the systems is down.
Education Minister Shaik Baksh said, apart from the courses in Mathematics, English and the other subjects, the new centre will play a vital role in giving every resident on Essequibo Coast the opportunity of getting in tune with the computer in this technology age.
He challenged UG to take education to another level by introducing e-learning programmes at the new facility, emphasising that, in today’s world, technology is the way to go and the establishment of the centre is a positive indication that it is moving in this direction.
Mr. Baksh said that is in keeping with the Government’s vision for IT and works in inclination with the One Lap Top Per Family (OLPF) initiative which, among other things, is geared at bridging the digital divide.
The release said the OLPF programme that aims to put Guyana’s development on an information path was launched in January, following President Bharrat Jagdeo’s vision for this country to be on par with the rest of the world in the ICT sector.
The ministry release said Government has set 2015 as the target when every Guyanese should become versed in the use of the computer and will complement the OLPF initiative which is expected to benefit some 90,000 families.