In today’s world, science and technology continue to be the driving force of development, with research unearthing ground breaking discoveries, revolutionising the way we interact and significantly improving vital services.The 20th century has seen the greatest advancements in science and technological developments, but the majority of these occur in the latter half of the century.
Postal mails have almost been replaced by emails. Practically every aspect of business is moving into full technology mode, as there is e-commerce, e-medicine and e-governance, just to name a small few.
Guyana, a developing country has over the years made great strides in development, but is some distance away when it comes to modern advancement in science and technology.
This lag can be attributed to Guyana not doing enough to align its education system on this new course of development.
It has been said time and again, and the call needs to be heeded that the time has come for us to move away from the focus on the social sciences, and shift attention to science, technology, mathematics and engineer.
From the pronouncements of public officials, there seems to be a general consensus that Guyana should be heading in this direction, but the will to move with alacrity has been absent.
To the credit of the Ministry of Education, some attention is being paid to encourage students to pursue the sciences and mathematics, but it does not appear that these efforts are driven by a policy with clear medium and long term objectives.
From the look of things, it appears as doing something for the sake of doing it, rather than articulating a vision and making a fervent effort to galvanise interest in these important subject areas.
While the effort to recognise the importance of the sciences and mathematics is encouraging, it is not good enough, and the Ministry of Education should look to do more in stimulating students’ interest in these subjects at the early grade levels.
This would entail the Ministry’s experts revisiting how science and mathematics is being taught and promoted in the school system.
Whatever the method or means used in doing this, whether it is through science fairs, essay competitions or documentary films, the story has to be told that life and business in today’s world resolve around science and technology.
And ethical harnessing of knowledge in these fields is paramount to improving citizens’ lives and catapulting development of their country.
And in all of this, the University of Guyana has a leading role to play, but must be adequately supported by the government of the day, especially in the area of research.
But the university must also pursue income generating avenues to fund its operation rather than relying on the government for its survival.
The government on its part should make a concerted effort to ensure that Guyana’s premier tertiary leaning institution is aligned along the path of science, mathematics, engineer and technology.
As a matter of policy, it could also provide scholarships for a limited number of students to pursue studies in these disciplines.
In this day and age, Guyana needs more chemists, biologists, physicists, engineers, geologists, architects, environmentalists, forestry and plant experts and doctors, and this is not to say that economists, accountants and other persons of the social sciences are not important.
Because of the issue of climate change and the rate of development of the world today, Guyana has to adjust to stay afloat and keep abreast, and it needs to start by investing in producing a generation of experts in the fields of science and technology to chart a new destiny and to enjoy a secured future in the 21 century.
These are the people who will deliver the innovations on science, technology and business that Guyana needs and reshape our thinking in the way we manage the environment, feed ourselves and sustain our livelihoods while ensuring the advancement of our country.