By Vishani Ragobeer

SEVEN hundred and twenty-seven youths between ages 14-24 on Saturday graduated from the President’s Youth Award: Republic of Guyana (PYARG) and they were urged by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to continue to build on their successes.“Even though we all start from humble beginnings, we can all excel in life and we can become what we have dreamt and chose to be,” the Prime Minister told the graduands.

He said for the nation to progress, the capacity of young people has to be developed and pointed out that this can be achieved through formal and informal education programmes.

The PYARG programme, he said is one such initiative (informal programme), noting that it has managed to enrich the experiences of young people through a voluntary exercise.

The skills learnt during the programme are geared to help participants develop the right attitude to become worthy citizens of society.

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnarine, who also addressed the graduation ceremony, said Guyana’s progress as a nation can be no swifter than the progress it makes in education.

And on that note, he commended the programme, pointing out that it builds the psychological skills of the participants while empowering them economically, culturally, organisationally, socially and communally.

“Never lose focus of your passion and purpose,” the minister beseeched the graduands.

This year, the 18th PYARG graduation ceremony saw some 529 students graduating with Bronze medals, 161 with Silver and 37 with Gold.
The PYARG, a youth centred programme, has reached out to some 18,000 youths aged 14-24 over the years.

It provides them the opportunity to be involved in skills training, community service, physical recreation, adventurous journeys and explorations — all of which serve to enrich their lives while benefiting communities.

Each category of the programme has a duration of 16-18 months.