By Vishani Ragoobeer

EDUCATION Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine believes that greater emphasis must be placed in ensuring that the education system here is specifically tailored to be in the best interests of ‘each child.’He was at the time giving the feature address at the launch of Education Month under the theme” Each Child Matters: Stakeholders Unite for the Enhancement of Education.” “What I know and I am deeply convinced about, is that if we cannot get education right – then nothing else will go right. It is that fundamental,” Dr Roopnaraine told the gathering at the launch.

He said that the theme for this month is “unique” as it places emphasis on “a truly child-centered education and the role of the stakeholders in this realisation.” He said too that this year, “the focus is on reiterating to the stakeholders how important education has been and continues to be to their very existence, growth and development as individuals and the development of society at large.”

The minister also said that the children, parents, educators, employers, private education providers and the government can be identified as stakeholders, but in this “mosaic” the children are the “central” figures since they are both the “objects and subjects,” since they need to benefit and in turn, benefit the rest of society.

Improving and developing education is a feat that cannot be achieved only by the parents or educators, it is one which needs everyone’s input, Dr. Roopnaraine asserted, noting that a “fertile collaboration” is needed between the classroom and the home; “Education of the child is too important to be left only to the parents or only to teachers.”

The minister said government remains committed to the cohesion of the education system, pointing out that since last year’s education month to now there have been the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Education System and appointments of coordinators for the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and for the private schools in Guyana. The CoI, he noted, “Is that process that will allow all of the stakeholders to express their relative, their reflective and perspective views of the system. This will allow for the creation of an education system that will enable the stakeholders to be both beneficiaries and benefactors,” the minister stated.

He closed his message by stating, “If we are to inspire our children, if we are to provide them with the necessary energy and the necessary skills to make themselves productive and whole human beings, then we have a lot of work to do.” He added that this task “would be best done if we forge an active partnership between the schools and the home.”

Acting Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson, speaking to the theme that calls on all stakeholders, said “it is fundamental that the parent-teacher collaboration be enhanced and fostered.” He continued: “teachers have a fundamental role to play in helping children fulfill their dreams regardless of their socio-economic status” and that “the community spirit is a vital ingredient to the effectiveness of education delivery.”

Underscoring the need for all stakeholders to be involved in the development of education, this launch also featured messages from the PTA, the Guyana Teachers Union and UNICEF. PTA Representative, Mr. Robert Forrester sought to raise another view that not “every” child matters, but “each” child matters, regardless of their physical, social or economic differences but considering their individualities.

Similarly, UNICEF Representative to Guyana and Suriname, Ms. Marianne Flach said that “Education is a basic human right,” stating too that all rights of the child must be considered when providing them with an education. “Enrolling your child into school is not enough,” she stated and added that all stakeholders must “create an environment” that children would be comfortable in disregarding all inequities and considering their special needs. “Each child matter,” she said.

President of the Guyana Teachers Union, Mr. Mark Lyte on the other hand, said the theme is indeed “pertinent”. However, he noted that a call to unite must not only come about when there is a launching of an event, but rather be at all times. “For education to impact this nation some important things must be seriously considered,” he said.

The GTU President said that for positive changes to be made all stakeholders must be given a “true sense of value” and much pride within the sector “must be buried.” He said that the Ministry of Education needs stakeholders like the GTU, just as the GTU needs the ministry and added that parents also need to be involved.