The Guyana National Cadet Corps

MAKE way for the region’s newest Cadets on the block! The Guyana National Cadet Corps (GNNC) is taking the country by storm where youths from ages12-16 are being suited up to be the country’s future leaders.

The National Cadet Corps is a brainchild of President David Granger which was officially relaunched in January 2018, with an aim to set youths on the path to achieve their full potential.

Participating in a curriculum mixture of academic and adventure are some 432 youths from six secondary schools stretched across five regions in the country.

These include: Hope Secondary and North Ruimveldt Secondary (Region Four); the Stewartville Secondary School in (Region Three); Berbice High School (Region Six) St. Ignatius Secondary School (Region Nine) and the Mackenzie High School ( Region 10`)
Each was selected based on the presence of the Reserve Component of the Guyana People’s Militia (GPM) which has been tasked with training the students.

For two hours after school, twice per week, the Cadets are exposed to subject areas such as first aid, physical education, dexterity, foot drills, music, Mathematics, English, Spanish and Portuguese.

After every six months, the students undergo the Cadet Leadership and Proficiency Examination which determines whether they are promoted from one rank to the next.
Speaking with GPM Training Officer, Major Eon Murray, he told the Pepperpot Magazine that youths who successfully complete the programme have more to gain than the eventual graduation parade and attendance certificate.

“The GNCC will allow youths in every region to be able to understand and appreciate what it means to be responsible, respectful and have an appreciation for time and their civic duties,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton told the Magazine that works are in progress to ensure the programme becomes available countrywide.
“Our main aim in all of our youth programmes, whether it is the National Cadet Corps or whether it is the National Youth Service, is to help our youths in general, both in and out of school, to…further their academic studies, get gainful employment or go into entrepreneurship systems,” he said.

Although the GNCC caters for students, it also welcomes the participation of out-of-school youths.
These youths need not worry about financial constraints as Murray explained saying: “This programme does not require any extraordinary financial investment by the parent or guardian.

“The uniforms are provided through budgetary allocation by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). If there is a requirement to travel out of town for a camp or training; transportation, meals and accommodation will be provided by Guyana Defence Force (GDF).”

During the upcoming school break the Cadets will have their first camping experience lasting for one week which will also allow for networking opportunities.
But even bigger plans are in store as Murray revealed that through collaboration with the Caribbean Cadet Association, GNCC could soon participate in or even host some of the organisation’s calendar of activities.

Murray’s long-term vision is to see the programme become a permanent feature in each school, along with legislations enacted to safeguard its continuity.

Telling of his personal experience thus far, he said: “The most uplifting part is when I visit the schools on the programme and I witness the instructors hard at work and the enthusiasm shown by the Cadets during the training. Although some instructors appear overwhelmed, the majority of instructors are hardworking and committed,” he said.

Speaking further on the matter, he remarked: “I recognise that investing the time now in our youths is the right step. I embrace the vision of His Excellency to mould our youths while preparing them for the future.

“Being a Training Officer for most of my career I understand some of the challenges the Cadets will experience in a semi-regimented environment. The onus is on the instructors to be professional while, at the same time, parents need to support their children on the programme.”

Still in its infantile stage is the country’s National Youth Service/Corp which is now being put forward as a green paper in cabinet, and a technical working group has been identified to assist in making it a reality.

Norton says that it will be geared mainly towards skill training and making youths employable even as the country’s oil and gas industry rapidly approaches.