FOLLOWING the decision taken by the Ministry of Education to introduce a new pilot programme to further improve students’ performance in Mathematics and English at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) exams, newly appointed Minister Priya Manickchand has embarked on an outreach programme to the various schools selected to be involved in the initiative.
The outreach is aimed at informing students, parents and teachers about the new initiative being piloted over a five-month period in 32 secondary schools throughout the country that aims to improve Mathematics and English performance by 20 percent at the upcoming CSEC examination in 2012.
Minister Manickchand visited Abram Zuil, Anna Regina Multilateral and Aurora Secondary Schools where she informed stakeholders of the four key players involved in the pilot project: her Ministry, teachers, students and parents.
“Each student in the selected schools in Region Two will be provided with all the needed materials to make them achieve good grades, including scientific calculators, Maths and English text books, past examination papers, revision DVDs, geometry sets and a dictionary,” Minister Manickchand said.      
Teachers, she said, have fully endorsed the new initiative and have been working with the Ministry to initiate new programmes to further improve students’ grades.
“The Ministry could provide all the materials and the teachers could teach all they want but, if you the students do not come to school and focus on your books then it’s not going to make any difference in your grade,” Minister Manickchand told students.
In this regard, she urged them to commit their attention and focus on their books for the next five months.
“The decision to shape your own future and destiny starts now, so you have to start making plans and setting your goals,” Minister Manickchand urged.
“We need parents to create an environment for their children to prosper at the upcoming examination in 2012…as a parent you need to do your part to ensure your child can achieve a bright future,” she posited.
She noted that Government continues to make tangible investments in the education system thus being able to achieve universal primary education. This progress, she said, will continue towards achieving universal secondary education as life without an education could be challenging.
On Thursday last, the Minister visited Leonora, Stewartville and Zeeburg Secondary schools, Region Three, where she began the outreach to raise awareness of the pilot project.
The new initiative is in sync with Government’s plans to transform the education system to one that prepares the next generation of Guyanese with all the skills required for tomorrow’s world.
Minister Manickchand, prior to the outreaches, also met with heads of the targeted schools.