By Indrawattie Natram

GONE are the days when only a small number of persons could afford to attend computer classes and training. With the recent introduction of Code Camps by the Ministry of Public Telecommunications (MOPT) throughout the country, scores of youth are being allowed to tap into the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) field. Thirty- one young people from the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region graduated from a recently held Code Camp which was held at the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI). It was the second such event held in the Region.

Youths were taught in-depth sessions on Micro Bit Technology, Coding, Graphics and Website design in 25 sessions. The classes were done every Saturday and were taught by Lecturers Keshav Chowbay and Indrawattie Hirai.
Life-changing
Those who attended the course expressed profound gratitude towards the Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes for the courses. Top student for the morning course, Anuradha Rebai, told the Pepperpot Magazine that she believes every child should be exposed to such a golden opportunity. The Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School Student said that the project was very exciting and it brings out the creative side of participants. She said she was very stunned at what she was taught using ICT. Rebai said that the course has definitely paved her career path and she now has a vested interest in furthering her studies in ICT.

Like Rebai, Shavez Banwarie, is also grateful for the course. The 15-year-old said that he was happy to be selected for the camp. He said the course has exposed him to HTML and has widened his knowledge on the development of Apps and database development. Banwarie said that with Region Two being an agriculture region he thinks he will be looking at the possibilities of creating an App that will help farmers.

Fifteen-year-old Jadeon Persaud said he is very excited about the training he received and thanked the instructors for the time spent and patience shown to them during the course. Persaud said that it also built comradery and team-building among the participants.

Twelve-year-old Karmaria Tyrell and 14-year-old Kimantha Tyrell both expressed similar sentiments. Karmaria was named the top student for the evening classes. She said that she did not regret joining the course and the friends she has gained have truly taught her a lot of life-changing lessons. She expressed gratitude to the Government of Guyana for the opportunity.

Principal of Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) Rawl Pearson said that the ETI is happy to partner with the Ministry of Public Telecommunications in bringing the Code Camps to the youth. He also said the opportunity that was provided is golden and in-depth and urged the youth to continue their career in ICTs. The institute is also offering a Diploma in Computer Science and other related courses.