INFORMATION technology (IT) has dramatically impacted upon every aspect of life, revolutionising the way business is conducted and making communication so easy as to make the world practically a global village. Therefore, placing emphasis on IT in schools and ensuring that our entire nation is IT savvy is an imperative if we are going to prepare our people to capitalise on the opportunities arising in every sector as a result of the rapid development in this dynamic field.
According to UNESCO, the dramatic acceleration in the development and use of information and communication technologies during the last few years has set in motion a worldwide process of transition from the ‘Industrial’ to the ‘Information Society’.
The depth and non-linearity of this process seem to have much greater social, economic and cultural implications for humanity than the Industrial Revolution of the past. Business, education, training, research, entertainment – indeed, all aspects of life – are increasingly affected by electronic networks and multimedia technologies, which are opening up new opportunities and challenges for all. As we move towards the third millennium, it is of utmost importance to understand and to influence the fundamental changes brought about by the “communication and information revolution”.
The complexity and interrelation of today’s world problems defy traditional explanations and solutions, and require a completely new approach which must be both comprehensive and interdisciplinary.
Moreover, individuals, groups and communities will need to develop not only new tools of analysis, but also very different mentalities and attitudes in order to adapt to the emerging “new” civilization based on information and knowledge.
Against this backdrop, it is encouraging to note that Guyana has been recognized by its Caribbean neighbours for its outstanding performance in the education sector, and specifically in information technology (IT).
Education Minister Shaik Baksh recently revealed that this country has taken the leading position in IT with a pass rate of 97 per cent, as compared to an 80 per cent overall pass rate for the rest of the Caribbean region.
This is indeed a remarkable performance, but yet some continue to peddle the falsehood that nothing positive is happening in this country. If this excellent performance in IT is not a positive development, then what is?
Baksh said the Education Ministry will be taking a more complex approach in ICT to further enhance the country’s education sector in this regard. He noted that it is not just about having computers in schools, but also ensuring that persons are computer literate.
“While many countries have computers in their schools, this is not (our) main objective. The objectives (are) the uses of the computers, and to ensure that persons (are) capable of using the computers,” he said.
The minister said the aim is to train some 100 teachers countrywide through a two-day ICT workshop designed for teachers’ enhancement in this regard. Thus, the development of students in this area is vital.
He said the workshop plays a significant role in development of information and communication technology, and if enough emphasis is not placed on the area targeted, the ministry’s goal would be greatly affected, thus frustrating the Education Ministry’s vision for that sector.
Baksh underscored that no time will be wasted, nor will Guyana be left behind in Information Communication Technology, given that it plays a key role in the education sector.
“We have competitiveness here in Guyana. Guyana must not be left behind, the education sector is moving very (quickly),” he outlined.
Baksh also pointed out that the Education Ministry has already commenced works related to ICT. However, more strategies will be implemented to work through the challenges that may come with the further development of ICT in Guyana.
ICT is critical in education for Guyana. “It is key in the sector, and unless we get it right, it can affect the outcome of our vision…we have to ensure that there is a large number of students coming out on top in this area,” Baksh said.
He said that educators must play a critical role in ensuring that the ministry’s ICT goal is achieved if there is to be a paradigm shift in this area in the country, ushering in transformation.
“We are leading in teachers’ training; and at the end of the day, these are all strategies that we will be working with to achieve our goals,” he said.
Also, over the last two years, there has been the establishment of an ICT Professional Development Strategy, which is currently being used by the ministry as a guideline for planning and progression in ICT development.
The ICT drive is a new philosophy to learning, and it is part of the ministry’s plan to help children  evaluate themselves.
Guyana is at the stage when its people should move away from content and focus more on what is best in this 21st century era.
Just for the purpose of IT enhancement, the minister announced he would ensure that every IT teacher is given a laptop to work with, thus making their jobs easier in some ways.
The minister said he hopes to have some 5000 students sitting the ICT at the CSEC examinations, as opposed to 2000 in recent times.
It should also be noted that the One Laptop per Family (OLPF) Programme plays an integral part in the ICT drive, since work has been initiated to have this initiative integrated into the ICT programme.
ICT is one area aggressively pursued over the last five years to set the stage for the next five. The PPP/Civic Government plans to improve the environment for doing business through the use of information communication technology, along with administrative and institutional reforms, with special emphasis on reducing the cost and improving the ease with which the business community can execute transactions with government agencies.