-at annual Christmas luncheon
MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, along with a team comprising Permanent Secretary, Alfred King; Director of Culture, Carl Brandon; and Assistant Director of Youth, (ADOY) Devanand Ramdatt, were among some of the guests yesterday at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) Christmas luncheon. The get-together at Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast, is an annual event that allows the ministry’s staff to mingle with the staff and students of the institution over a Christmas luncheon, during which the students are presented with gifts.
The annual tradition also provides the opportunity for the ministry to reflect on the changes and development that would have occurred at the institution over the year, Minister Anthony said at the event. Speaking of the rapid make-over of the institution, he said, “From the very first time that I came here to what it is now, I can see a clear transformation of almost every single piece of infrastructure that we have here at NOC.”
He said that the senior officials of the ministry and the staff at the institution would have done much work to ensure this transformation, and added that emphasis would have been equally placed on improving the quality of programmes offered at the institution.
Minister Anthony told the gathering that the ministry is aware that many of the students who come to the institution are from broken homes and were not afforded the opportunity at an early age to access primary school. For this reason, the ministry, he said, is committed to the constant improvement of the NOC’s programmes, aiming for a future where every child that enters it can access formal education through the institution or through integration into the community.
Minister Anthony said that about 16 students from the institution are at present accessing education at schools in the community; moreover they have been excelling, attaining grade placements between first and fifth.
He said that he would like to, in time, see an increase in the number of students integrated in schools in the community, as they have proven that they have the capacity and capability to work.
“Persons who come through this institution, a lot of people might give up on them and feel that they are bad kids…that’s not our attitude, our attitude is quite different, we feel that a lot of these children at NOC are here because perhaps they are victims of circumstances,” Minister Anthony said.
“Not because of these circumstance that means this is the end of life, that there is no route, there is no career for you, that you can’t do good things,” he continued.
“We believe that each one of you who is here with us, that you can go out and do great things, great things for yourself, and great things for your community and country.”
He expressed confidence that once the students would have been given the opportunity to blossom and grow, that in time they themselves will become good role models.
The ministry, as of next year, will integrate the curriculum offered at Kuru Kuru Training Centre into the programmes offered at NOC, towards further assisting in the proper re-integration of the students into society.
PS King told the students that having worked as a training officer at the NOC during the early stages of his career, his work at the institution would have aided in him developing positive characteristics and traits.
He said that the ministry remains constant in its commitment to providing them with the best opportunities to aid in their reform, along with ensuring that when they are re-integrated into society that they make meaningful contributions.
King said that even with limitations, the staff of the ministry is committed to finding every possible innovative ways of making the students’ stay at the institution worthwhile. He added that although there would have been shortcomings, the ministry has had tremendous success in modifying the behaviour, attitude and values of numerous students, including those at NOC.
Minister Anthony, the PS and Ramdatt each received special tokens on behalf of the staff and students of the organization.
Minister Anthony also presented sums of money to two of the institution’s students who were among 16 that attend schools in the community and who excelled, one topping at the Grade 9 level.
The gathering was also attended by the Vice-Chairman, Region 2, Vishnu Samaroo, and Chief Executive Officer, National Communications Network and Chairperson of the Radio Needy Children’s Fund, Mohamed Sattaur.
Sattaur joined RCNF, Region 2 representatives, along with Santa, in distributing gifts to the students. This is the fifth year that RCNF would have participated in the organization’s annual Christmas luncheon.