THE Ministry of Education has announced a calendar of activities for the commemoration of Education Month 2013, which is being observed from September 1 to October 5.

In a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Development), Mrs. Doodmattie Singh said the observance will be under the theme ‘Transforming Classrooms for the 21st Century.’
The United Nations (UN) has designated September 8 as International Literacy Day and, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) website, the day is dedicated to “literacies for the 21st century.”
Education Minister, Ms. Priya Manickchand and Chief Education Officer, Mr. Olato Sam will be delivering messages that day and the Ministry has two very important events planned for Monday, September 9.
Singh explained that, on September 9, the ministry will be hosting an activity called ‘Give a book today’, when all of Guyana is encouraged to give a book to a neighbour, friend or anyone they know, whether it is a new or used one, be it a novel, religious text or any other book.
Additionally, at 11:00 hrs, also on September 9, there will be ‘Reading Time’, when persons countrywide are encouraged to “drop everything and read”, whether it is a book, a newspaper or even their electronic mails (e-mails).
On Friday, September 13, a ‘Rally for Education’ will be staged from Parade Ground on Middle Street to Queen’s College at Camp Road, in Georgetown and on September 16 and 17, there will be a workshop for teachers on ‘Transforming Minds’, facilitated by world renowned teacher, Mr. Ron Clark.
Singh said on September 16, the workshop will be held at the National Cultural Centre and is expected to attract approximately 2,000 teachers and,  on September 17, it will be moved to Tain, Corentyne, Berbice, where 500 teachers are expected to attend.
From September 16 to 20, a visual arts exhibition for secondary schools, at Castellani House, also in Georgetown, will showcase art work submitted by students for the visual arts section of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination.

LITERACY SHOWCASE
September 18 will feature a literacy showcase and September 26 is the date for a technical vocational education and training (TVET) open career fair at the Education Ministry Ground, on Carifesta Avenue, where a 21st century classroom would be on show.
A day of sports on September 28 would see all ministry officials participating and September 30 is set for a public presentation by school steelbands in the Botanical Gardens.
During the month, a wide range of panel discussions, between ministry officials and members of various communities, will be broadcast on television and other sections of the media.
More aspects of the observance include a Home Economics Extravaganza, National Spelling Bee Competition sponsored by the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T), a drama festival and the launch of the continuing J.O.F. Haynes Debating Competition.
Education Month will conclude with the observance of World Teachers’ Day on Saturday, October 5, when a message will be delivered by Chief Education Officer Sam.