I left Guyana some twenty-five years ago and on the point of my departure, I had twenty-five years close affiliation with the education sector.  Both the PNC and the PPP/Civic governments were keen on accelerating the growth of education.  However, after twenty five years of working in various education systems and based on the fact that I have had close collaboration with other Ministers of Education overseas, I feel I am in a distinct position to be able to make a judgement of Minister Shaik Baksh in comparison with other Ministers of Education. I have come to the conclusion that there is one factor in the equation which can only be described as dynamite and dynamic – either would prove apt as a description for the man. 
I refer to no other than the Honourable, and I do mean Honourable, Shaik Baksh.  As a minister, compared to the other Ministers of Education, he is just outstanding.
Let us examine in just a perfunctory manner, the track record of this man as a Minister of Education.
He has launched a war of epic proportions against illiteracy in this country.  The passion with which he seeks to eradicate this indicator of poverty has the characteristics of a Jihad.
There are Literacy Educators – foot soldiers distributed throughout the country in the fight against illiteracy and gradually it is being overcome.
Now more than ever there has been a multiplied effect of the extent to which Teacher Training is taking place through the various initiatives which Minister Baksh himself has implemented.  He has been instrumental in a non-ending struggle to seek funding from Parliament for these crucial and vital innovations in education.
Allow me to discuss a few of these initiatives.  There has been a renewed effort at the University of Guyana and Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) to maximize both the quantity and quality of trained teachers for our nation’s children.  Now the graduates at CPCE are further “incentivised” to use one of Minister Baksh’s terms to be in a position to have an Associate Degree rather than having to be contented with just a Trained Teachers Certificate for the duration of their lives.
Not satisfied there, he has catered for these teachers who are graduates of CPCE but who, for various reasons, are unable to attend the University of Guyana.
This minister has made it possible for these teachers to further develop themselves professionally through the implementation of the Non Graduate Certificate Programme for teachers in English and Mathematics as well as in a few other key subject areas.  This programme has also been a resounding success.
Teachers in Guyana are not allowed to sit in their respective classes and become ‘barnacles’ – yes to use another of his terminologies.  Rather, they are given continuous upgrading in content and methodology from the Nursery level through the Primary right on to the secondary level.  No other minister has made use of the National Centre for Educational Research and Development, the agency which is responsible for the planning and implementation of  in-service training.
The tremendous achievements of the Guyanese students at the 2010 CSEC examination have been recognized by all and attest to what the empowerment of teachers through training can do.
Our recent Grade 6 Assessment has shown that the highflyers do not necessarily have to come from schools in Georgetown but can come from relatively unknown schools in the rural areas.
Any survey in our primary schools will show that both attendance and performance have been enhanced by the School Feeding Programme and this venture has never been as extensive countrywide as it is now.  These are just a few of the many interventions implemented by him.
The point I am seeking to make is that this man who is such a conscientious and dedicated public servant and a minister who would work so tirelessly and unselfishly to ensure that education rises to unprecedented heights, who would do everything to preserve the integrity of the Ministry of Education would hardly seem to be one who would seek to be involved in the acts of self-aggrandizement of which his detractors are accusing him
As far as I see, the case fabricated against Minister Baksh is based on too much tenuous speculation.  The minister has reiterated with firm conviction that he does not issue contracts.  Then to say that the Permanent Secretary is influenced by him because he is the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and that just a wall and a door separate them presuppose a situation in which the Permanent Secretary must abide by every dictate of the minister even if that dictate is questionable or unethical, is ludicrous.
Members of families within the confines at the same house and notwithstanding the authority of a father or a husband, there are irreconcilable differences of disagreements.
My request is that before we rush to find the nearest tree from which we can lynch this truly dedicated public servant, we must be prepared to give him a chance to exonerate himself, and allow him to continue with his task of nation-building through education.