–Education Ministry defies odds to lay foundation for advancement

THE past year has placed a significant strain on the local education system. Countries around the world were confronted by the challenge of a widening educational gap among those who have access to educational services and material in the virtual setting.
Though that challenge was a bit more intricate in Guyana, owing to geographical disparities and systemic constraints, the past year has seen a massive rollout of support for the nation’s children. Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, has dubbed the 2020/2021 academic year one of the hardest, if not the hardest, year for the delivery of education in Guyana. Children accustomed to sitting in classrooms and benefitting from instruction and attention were forced to sit behind screens- whether phones, tablets or laptops.
If there was limited or no access to these electronic devices, there was not much that could have been done within the confines of the embryonic COVID-19 pandemic.
That did not daunt the local players in the education sector, though. Instead of succumbing to the pressure caused by the pandemic’s disruption of the education sector, the minister related on numerous occasions that the dedicated professionals in the education system joined their heads and hearts to cater for the children.

The first practical response was to bridge the gap of technological access. That was done by creating and distributing worksheets and textbooks to all learners. Though this could not compare to a learner benefitting from instructional time with a teacher, it meant that these learners would have something to engage with while schools were physically closed.
But the response did not stop there. It wasn’t long before efforts were made to expand the Guyana Learning Channel into rural and hinterland communities so that learners could benefit from educational content that was being created, just so children could be engaged similar to how they were in schools.
In places where the channel was not available or where radios and televisions were not easily accessible, flash drives and CDs loaded with the content were given to village leaders. Because, as Minister Manickchand said, even if there was just one “village uncle” with a television in his shop, that could be used for the children.
Though these measures were, by and large, in response to the challenges presented by the pandemic, works have moved apace to transform the education system. And with that transformation comes an increased focus on bridging disparities.

.To address the enduring challenges- including geographical challenges and the limited access to technology- a Deputy Chief Education Officer with responsibility for Amerindian and Hinterland Education Development was appointed.
That officer is Marti De Souza, who told the Guyana Chronicle that he has been on the ground in the five hinterland regions assessing the challenges. His work will inform policies to ensure that learners in the hinterland can benefit from increased access to educational services and opportunities.
In between these major efforts, over the past year, there was also the establishment of the Guyana Online Learning Academy (GOAL), which only just awarded scholarships to hundreds of local applicants; the development of virtual quiz and revision platforms; and, the construction of schools.
Yet, the lingering issue was that children have been losing out because they are not in schools. And from as far back as November 2020, a phased reopening of schools began. Approximately 21,000 students in grades 10, 11 and 12, along with practical and technical vocational students returned for face-to-face engagement.

That meant that they were able to complete their School-Based Assessment (SBAs), practical assignments and syllabi with the help of their teachers.
A few weeks ago, however, Minister Manickchand said that the ministry was actively considering the reopening of schools come the new school year that starts in September, to bring an end to the physical closure of schools brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
This decision was based on the encouraging vaccination of citizens countrywide, weighed against the growing learning loss that the country and the rest of the world continue to encounter.
President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, also recently stated that preparations were ongoing for the reopening of schools and that the government has been working to secure the U.S.-made Pfizer vaccine to vaccinate children and protect them from COVID-19. It is expected that over the next few weeks, these preparations will intensify as schools prepare to welcome children from September.

‘BECAUSE WE CARE’
More recently, from July 15, the distribution of the “Because We Care” cash grant for children in public schools got underway. This grant was given once before and it was valued at $10,000.
This year, in keeping with a campaign promise made to the people of Guyana, the distribution of the grant resumed. And importantly, it is valued at $19,000 (cash, not a voucher) since $15,000 is being provided as an actual grant while $4,000 is being given as the annual School Uniform and Supplies Grant.
With approximately 172,000 learners in the public school system, a total of $3.2 billion is directly transferred to children and families across Guyana in 2021. By 2025, it is expected that the amount given to each child will increase from $19,000 to $50,000.
Importantly, too, both Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo and the education minister also revealed that the government is actively considering whether this grant can be extended to children in the private schools. With the grant in hand, many parents have welcomed the added boost and many look forward to a safe return to schools, come September.