… Transforming youths minds essential for nation’s development — Education Ministry

TRANSFORMATION of the mind is a key ingredient for development. Hence, personal transformation is a prerequisite for development of self, positive changes within families, communities, institutions, and the nation.
This sentiment was shared by Special Technical Advisor in the Education Ministry, Wazir Mohamed, during his charge to hundreds of youths at the annual ‘A’ Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) career fair on Saturday.
Police youth clubs from across the country were assembled at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, Georgetown. The event was held under the theme, “Transforming the mind, developing the nation’s youths through education, motivation and self-development.”
Among the agencies which participated in the career fair and engaged young persons were the Disciplined Forces; the Ministries of Education, Public Health and Agriculture; media entities; E R Burrowes School of Art, government ministries, commercial entities and non-governmental organisations.

According to one officer at the event, few careers are as rewarding as law enforcement. Police officers spend their days protecting and serving their local communities. They’re often motivated by working for something greater than themselves and end each day knowing their time and talents are being well spent.
The opening ceremony also featured performances by children from the various youth groups, including poem recitals, songs, and an entertaining display of martial arts.
Speaking on behalf of Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine was Special Technical Advisor, Minister of Education, Wazir Mohamed

He said the event signals the kind of growth Guyana needs in a changing world. Noting that the theme for the event was appropriate, he said the purpose of the career day is for the youths to take personal responsibility for their development. “Development begins with the individual, with yearning to learn, and through learning we become more literate and creative. Developed minds will lead to literate beings or individuals. Literate individuals will lead to increased creativity.

“My charge to each of you today, yes each of you – remember the old adage, “Charity begins at home.” As we develop our minds, we transform ourselves, and as we do that we have more to offer ourselves and society…. In Guyana, every child has the opportunity of equal access to education. We have the system and we have the tools, but success is dependent on you, and on each of us. Success depends on whether or not we are motivated enough to become creative,” he told hundreds of youths at the event.
He said careers are paths and societies develop and become strong and powerful as individuals self-develop, and as they do that, the work of one person complements the work of others to make up the whole.

“As we think about careers, bear in mind that we should always be conscious of the need for continuous improvement in our life. In the same way as the saying goes, “Rome was not built in a day,” improvement in the quality of our lives cannot happen in a day. It takes time. Take advantage and learn from the experience and expertise of your peers. And remember the Education Ministry is here to help,” he explained.
Divisional Commander Clifton Hicken encouraged stakeholders to follow the path of the division in providing a platform for youths to be holistically exposed to the development taking place in the country in all sectors of the economy.