THE Curriculum Assessment Report for the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) was officially handed over to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony on Friday at the institution at Suddie, Esequibo

The curriculum was compiled in 2010 with the support of UNICEF under which the first batch of students graduated. It was assessed by Jamaican volunteer, Dr Rohan Williams in July who found some shortcomings due to the environment from which the students would have come.
Speaking at the handover of the report to Dr Anthony, Dr Williams pointed to his findings. “The curriculum seemed male centric because the programmes offered tend to attract more males than females. Females need soft skills like cosmetology,” he said.
The NOC is an institution that provides for youths and children between the ages of 10 and 18 to develop both educationally and socially, thereby empowering them to function as well rounded individuals and contribute to national development.
Dr Anthony said that he is very grateful for the work that is being done at the institution, noting that the children are given a second chance to correct their mistakes and educate themselves. He added that the NOC is considered a special institution because some of its students would have passed through the course.
There have also been remedial programmes designed because some of the students have literacy and numeracy issues and these have proven very successful.
One of the things that is being emphasised in the curriculum is that there must be understanding of the individuals whom the teachers are serving because these are special children with special needs.
There are several courses which the students are exposed to at the NOC including joinery, masonry, carpentry, welding, handicraft and construction. The institution has a modern computer laboratory as well.