–as new school year approaches

EARLIER this year, schools and other educational institutions were forced to close their doors and commence classroom sessions virtually amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Having had to make some adjustments, the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) also began offering its courses Online, and will continue to do so for the current crop of students, as well as those who wish to enroll for the new semester in September.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle by phone on Friday, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Brian Greenidge related that the GSA, like many other institutions here, began working with its students in an Online setting via Zoom.

Acknowledging that the GSA is not like the normal schools, Greenidge noted that students may remain in their Online classes, since most of their field and course work are done through teamwork, as are the festivals and other activities that allow them to display and market their products, all of which do not lend to their practicing or maintaining social distancing.

“All courses are now being offered Online, so unless there is a drastic change in the situation, then we can go back to the way we were,” Greenidge said. “But for now, we are working from Online,” he added.

He also noted that there have been no discussions about having the classrooms reopened amid the relaxed guidelines, but if that were to be done, the school will adjust and impose strict guidelines in accordance with the Health Authorities.

“What we have to do is follow the guidelines; we can’t run from that,” he said. “Anything we have to do, we will follow the guidelines put out by the Ministry of Health.”
Despite the current situation with the pandemic, he noted that the school has been in receipt of numerous applications from eager students who wish to further their studies in agriculture, hence GSA has made its application forms accessible via the Internet to encourage persons to enroll.

“We have applications coming in all the time, so we are looking towards the future to see how things would change,” the CEO said, adding: “We also would have to change; we would be glad to go back to the old normal, but we have to work with the new normal.”

He noted that the school has been managing fine with the Online courses, and will soon be bringing the semester to a close.
“We are doing fine,” he said. “Our programmes are being in the run right now, and we are coming to a close; the final term will be coming to a close on the 1st of August.”
Greenidge disclosed that some 120 students will be saying their goodbyes to the institution when the final term is complete, but due to the COVID-19 restrictions, he is unsure what the plans are to send the scholars off with a well-deserved and proper graduation, since it is mandatory for persons to desist from large social gatherings.
Nevertheless, a system will be in place for students to uplift their certificates and diplomas. And as it relates to the newcomers, given the current situation and the decisions made by the relevant authorities, a virtual orientation will be held to welcome the new students to the school and into their first semester.

Greenidge also related that the Online courses being offered are: Certificate in Agro-processing and Certificate in Forestry, which are both one-year programmes; as well as a Certificate in Agriculture, Diploma in Agriculture, Diploma in Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health, which are all two-year programmes.

Those desirous of enrolling at GSA can access the application form on the school’s website: http://gsaapplicationsgy.com/
Completed applications can be sent by e-mail to its Mon Repos campus: gsa.campus@gmail.com or to horatiorramdass@gmail.com at its Essequibo Campus.
Applications are to be submitted no later than August 25, 2020.