– says PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

GUYANA’S FUTURE is inextricably linked to utilization of advances made in science and technology, according to General Secretary of the Peoples Progressive Party, Mr Clement Rohee.

Addressing a press conference held at Freedom House on Robb Street, Georgetown on Monday, Rohee said: “It is in this context that the Party urges our students, teachers and education administrators to spare no effort to encourage and create an environment that is conducive to the development of the full creative and innovative potential of our students at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels, including that of the University of Guyana.”

Rohee congratulated the students and teachers who participated in this year’s National Science, Mathematics and Technology Fair, hosted under the theme, ‘Science, Mathematics and Technology: Providing Solutions for the 21st Century’, and at the Anna Regina Multilateral School.

He noted that the Fair brought out the best talents, creativity and innovativeness of our students.

He said, “From all indications, the Fair was highly successful, for which the Ministry of Education deserves full commendation.”

ACROSS THE BOARD ADVANCE
Pointing to the success in schools countrywide, and not only in Georgetown and other central areas, as had been the trend in previous years, Rohee said, “It is clear that the huge investments made by the PPP/C Administration in the development of our human resource potential is impacting positively with regard to greater accessibility of quality education to the children of Guyana.

“It is also indicative of the fact that the several interventions made over the years by the Education Ministry at the various levels are yielding dividends.

“Gone are the days when only a few city schools shone at national and regional examinations. Today there is a much better spread of student performance throughout the country, including coastal and regional schools.”

This year, the Abrams Zuil Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast emerged winner of both the Oral Presentation and Best Project categories of the competition.

“This is a most laudable performance, given the fact that the school, until recently, was not considered as one of the high achievers both by national and regional standards,” Rohee said, as he underscored the fact that the school was successful in producing the overall best CXC student in Guyana and the Caribbean, and has now excelled at the 2014 National Science, Mathematics and Technology Fair.

“(It) speaks to the enormous strides the school has made in terms of its performance as a high performing secondary institution, not only in the region, but the country as a whole; for which the Regional Administration, Education Department, Parent/Teachers Association (PTA) and students must be given credit,” he said.
Rohee extended the party’s congratulations to the Taymonth Manor Primary School for copping the top spot in the Oral Presentation for primary category. He also congratulated the winners in the secondary category, which included Queen’s College, Mackenzie High School, and of course the Abram Zuil Secondary School.

He said, “The Party has taken note of the fact that Region Two has emerged as the best region in the competition,” and he urged the region to continue striving for excellence in quality of education delivery.

The fact that the Anna Regina Multilateral School, the venue of the competition, has twice produced the top CXC student in the Caribbean is indicative of the strides made in education delivery in the region and the country as a whole, he said.

QUINTESSENTIAL
Rohee stressed the importance of focus in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) area. He said, “As a country, we cannot overemphasize the importance of science and technology to national development; and every incentive should be provided to our students to pursue studies in this critical area of development.

“As is known, we live in what is regarded as the knowledge society, and our capacity to apply the latest advances in science and technology will determine the pace of our growth and development.”

To this end, Rohee made clear the ruling party’s commitment to advances in this field, quintessential to the development of the nation as a whole.

He said, “The PPP (party) commends the PPP/C Administration for its One Lap Top Per Family Programme, which will provide students with the ability to acquire, process and transmit information and knowledge so vital for their individual and, by extension, collective growth and development.”

The National Science, Mathematics and Technology Fair ended last week.

(By Vanessa Narine)