EDUCATION Month observances were on a high at Mabaruma when the Education Department of Region One hosted a mini STEAMS fair and exhibition. The activity was held on the lawns of the Education Department in the North West District town to officially begin activities in observance of the annual event on the education calendar.

Education Month 2018 is being celebrated under the theme “Education for a Good Life — through Innovation and STEAMS.”

Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary), Owen Pollard reminded the gathering of students, teachers and parents that without an effective education system, a country cannot progress.

Pollard said it is towards this end that the Ministry of Education will leave no stone unturned to educate the nation’s children in keeping with modern methodologies and concepts. With a focus on the theme, Pollard said it is imperative that an education system in the 21st century produces children who are able to function in the wider world.
“As a country we need scientist and other technically savvy citizens to guarantee Guyana taking its rightful place in the world,” he said.

The ACEO asserted that there is a need to create an environment that will ensure pursuits such as disciplines that fall within the STEAMS category.

Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley said making education a priority irrespective of any prevailing circumstances is a mantra his region revered, contending that it will help “Children to unravel the skills they have within.”

He also said it is important to ensure that every child has an opportunity to maximise their potential and leaders should assist in ensuring such opportunities are provided.

The regional chairman told the gathering that his region will be expending more monies on education. “Education is everyone’s business, unless we take ownership of education and place emphasis on its importance, much will not be achieved; for a society to be transformed, education has to take its rightful place.”

Meanwhile, District Education Officer Region One, Marti DeSouza was in celebratory mood because his region, in keeping with the theme this year, established their first smart classroom. According to DeSouza, this technology will substitute for a teacher who might be absent since children from one school can be taught by a teacher from another school.

The use of the smart classroom was demonstrated at the exhibition. The schools which participated in the event were Mabaruma, Hosororo, Wauna, Aruka and Barbina Primary schools and North West Secondary.

Following the opening of the fair, the welfare department presented schools supplies inclusive of bags, footwear and exercise books to a number of students.