– as the country prepares for the fourth industrial revolution

“It is not beyond our power to create a world in which all children have access to a good education. Those who do not believe this have small imaginations.” President Nelson Mandela

A SMALL imagination is therefore not what President David Granger has, for he has big plans based on a big dream of an educated nation. And not only has he been dreaming and planning big, but the president has been making reality of the education policies by ensuring that they are implemented in every possible way.

In fact, since the APNU+AFC coalition’s election to office in 2015, Guyana has been moving in the right direction in terms of policy, and a strong structured education system is no exception. Under the President’s guidance, the coalition government has been creating thousands of jobs, while stressing the importance of improved skills and education in general. Maintaining record numbers of infrastructures–roads, bridges, buildings, hinterland radio stations and improving standards in our hospitals and clinics are among some of the maj0r infrastructural works. Additionally, cleaning the streets of our capital city, working towards reducing what was once the high rate of suicide; cracking down on crime, and uniting our people through social cohesion are among the many endeavours of the APNU+AFC coalition government.

As president, he is convinced that education would positively change the nation, removing barriers and bring about a more equitable society. His concern too is that the economic and social gaps between the coastland and hinterland be closed, and that education is the only remedy.

$1M STEM education endowment

From December 2015, just a few months after taking office, President Granger in his quest to support education programmes, highlighted the importance of designing curricula where the focus is rich on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

In fact, just a few days ago, President Granger handed over $1 million to the New Amsterdam Multilateral School to boost STEM subjects, which was received by Headteacher Ms Vanessa Jacobs, as a contribution to the National Endowment for Science and Technology’s (NEST). He told the students that regional education is an investment in children’s future, which will equip them with the necessary knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that are necessary, not only to secure employment, but also to help them provide for their families.

“… It can produce a corps of scientists: agronomists, architects, biologists, botanists, chemists, doctors, epidemiologists, engineers, environmentalists, geneticists, geologists, hydrologists, physicists, software developers and zoologists, which are needed to ensure economically strong regions…to revive and drive village industries, especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises,” President Granger posited.

The Head of State pledged $1 million to support the education programmes that are being undertaken by the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG). He pledged another $1 million to boost the Berbice High School’s (BHS) science department. Later, he handed over $1M to the Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) Hindu School at their 12th graduation ceremony.

Additionally, President Granger presented $1M to President’s College at its 26th graduation exercise. This was in an effort to boost the school’s science and technology facilities. Yet another $1M cheque was handed over to the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) for emphasis to be placed on the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, even as the principal of the college vowed to ensure that the approaches to these subjects are reviewed to ensure maximum results.

Over at the North-West Secondary school, President Granger also donated $1M, which was received by the school’s Headmistress Ms. Carlotta Joseph at the Mabaruma airstrip. The money was given to boost the institution’s science and technology facilities and in his address to the students and teachers, he told them that a science-based education is key to development of the region and, by extension, the country.

Jermaine Joseph, representing a very thankful school for the gift of the $1M that was given to them (at the North-West Secondary School) by President Granger, wrote and read this poem: “It is not often that you find a heart that palpitates for mankind. For us, your interest is nothing shy of the best, for we have seen that you are one so keen – for you act on thought that most keep at bay. With hearts of genuflection we acknowledge your kindness, a man of sustained interest, none can claim rejection.”

“Our government is going to help any school that is prepared to help themselves and if you put this money to good use, next year Christmas, you will get another million dollars,” President Granger promised.

Relevance of fourth revolution

Both President Granger and First Lady Mrs Granger continue to urge students to embrace of subjects of the fourth industrial revolution.
“Guyana is becoming a digital state” and will not be left behind in [the] digital revolution, which has been causing global transformation, while creating countless opportunities to expand the delivery of public services, President Granger said.

In commissioning a $313M Centre for Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT) on the Turkeyen campus of the University of Guyana recently, President Granger stated, “The digital state can deploy ICT effectively to promote productivity and competitiveness. It is an implementation of technology which will foster innovation and, consequently, economic growth.”

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) have now become some of the major subjects necessary at this time. It is not that the others are not essential as well. However, as President Granger stated, “The country needs biologists, botanists and zoologists to document and study its rich biodiversity; engineers to erect infrastructure in its hinterland and to install hydroelectric, wind, solar and biomass energy plants and information and communication technologists to extend communications services; geologists and gemologists to provide services for the sustainable management of our extractive sectors and agriculturists, chemists, physicists and physicians to promote food security and enhance human health and well-being.”

Relevant education – First Lady

Meanwhile, First Lady Mrs Sandra Granger continues to travel throughout Guyana encouraging young people to pursue pathways in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Robotics. In her visits to schools in every region, young people’s groups, as well as more wide-ranging interest groups, she has been stressing the importance of students and others getting more involved in STEM subjects at this time. Mrs Granger has even been encouraging young girls and women to pay more attention to these subjects and related fields.

Her message is straightforward and constant, as she urges the different audiences to ‘embrace’ STEM in this period of the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ where these subjects are becoming increasingly essential operational tools.

At the Youth Summit in July, Mrs Granger said that it is her belief that education must also be “relevant.” She added, “I stress relevant because you are blessed to be living in what has been described as the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ and the age of technology. You are the generation of the World Wide Web, online shopping, social media, smart phones, think pads, drones and artificial intelligence.” She therefore urged that STEM, Robotics and related programmes must be incorporated in the teaching and learning environment.

World Economic Forum

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), “In its scale, scope, and complexity, the transformation will be unlike anything humankind has experienced before…The First Industrial Revolution used water and steam power to mechanise production. The Second used electrical power to create mass production. The Third used electronics and information technology to automate production. Now a Fourth Industrial Revolution is building on the third, the digital revolution that has been occurring since the middle of the last century.”

Studies have also confirmed that with the coming of the fourth industrial (or technological) revolution, the way people live, work, and relate to one another will be profoundly transformed. And an understanding of this is what propels the government of the APNU+AFC coalition to work hard at encouraging students in schools and other institutions of education to pay more attention to the studies of STEM, Robotics and other related programmes. President Granger iterated that Guyana will not be left behind in the industrial revolution that is moving across the globe.