THE Conference Centre at the Latchmansingh Primary School in Region 5 was the scene of high energy and excitement on Friday last, when 60 students participated in the Guyana Energy Agency’s ‘Express Your Energy’ activity.
Representing ten primary schools that were selected by the Regional Educational Office, the students hailed from: Latchmansingh Primary, Cotton Tree Primary, Number 5 Primary, Number 8 Primary, Number 29 Primary, Lichfield Primary, Seafield Primary, Bath Primary, Woodley Park and Hopetown Primary, and were between the ages of nine and 11 and from grades four to six. The students conveyed their interpretation and knowledge of energy
sources, sustainability, energy conservation and energy efficiency through artwork/pictorial illustrations, word search and conservation tips at different stations, while being enthusiastically encouraged by their fellow team members.
In a release, the GEA said that ‘Express Your Energy’, from its inception in 2012, targeted primary school students and has always been held in Georgetown during Energy Week. This year, however, GEA decided to decentralise the activity so that students of another region can benefit from the energy-related knowledge that is imparted during the activity.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Gloria Davidson, Representative of the Regional Educational Office, expressed thanks to GEA for hosting the activity in Region 5. She said, “Education is extremely important and is not always obtained in a classroom; ‘Express Your Energy’ is an example.” She went on to say: “…the Regional Education Officer and the Regional Office by extension were extremely happy that the activity was decentralised and Berbice was not forgotten”. Ms. Davidson closed with a charge to both students and teachers who were present to take what they have learnt to their classrooms and fellow students as “…energy-related knowledge imparted into young minds such as theirs will help in ensuring that Guyana has a secure energy future.”
The activity was non-competitive, therefore students were not judged or ranked based on their illustrations. Rather, each school was awarded a Certificate of Participation while each student (and teacher) was awarded a token of appreciation as an honorary ‘Energy Champion’.
One of the activities planned by GEA to commemorate Energy Month 2016, the goal of ‘Express your Energy’ was to tap into the creativity of children by allowing them to express their view and perspectives on energy-related matters in a non-competitive environment. The Guyana Energy Agency wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the Region 5 Education Office and Ms. Mimi Francis for their collaboration and assistance in making this activity a success. A special thank you is also being extended to Mrs. Bissoon, the head teacher of the host school, Lachmansingh Primary, for assistance rendered.
In keeping with the promotion of sustainable energy development, Energy Month 2016 (November 1-30) was celebrated under the theme “Sustainable Energy for Sustainable Development”. The Guyana Energy Agency, in the exercise of its mandate, continues to promote energy efficiency, energy conservation and the development and utilisation of alternative sources of energy.
Energy Month, consistent with Guyana’s energy trust and goal of a ‘Green Guyana’, serves as an annual feature in fulfilling part of the mandate of the GEA by disseminating information essential to improving public awareness on sustainable energy, conservation, and overall efficiency.
