30 certified in Early Childhood Training

Thirty Early Childhood Development practitioners are now certified following the completion of a two-month training programme in Region Six, East Berbice-Corentyne.
Several of the childcare practitioners are employed with daycare service facilities and took full advantage of the opportunity. This was made possible through the Ministries of Social Protection and Public Health, the Childcare and Protection Agency (CCPA), UNICEF and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).
According to Executive Officer of Early Childhood Development programme, Lavern Thorne, the initiative which provided formal training was the first of its kind for Region Six.
“We will continue this programme, and we plan to have more foundation programmes in Region Six and 10. Therefore, persons who would have missed out on this programme can look forward to future participation in Early Childhood Development in Region Six,” Thorne said.
She further urged the practitioners to be prepared for the new school term and implement their newfound knowledge.
In his remarks to the graduates, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Board of Industrial Training, Richard Maughn reminded that the agency is mandated to provide everyone throughout Guyana with the necessary skills to provide the services that will help to develop the country’s human resources potential.
Early childhood education is an integral part of the Government’s agenda. It will receive all the support necessary to ensure that preschoolers can better learn and retain the foundational skills and knowledge to help them succeed later in life.
Some of the graduates shared with the Department of Public Information (DPI) their reason for seizing the opportunity.
“Before I was a housewife, and the love for children was always there for me. I decided to get up and do something, which led me to be a part of the daycare service. Receiving my certificate here today is a next step closer to going to the University of Guyana and I cannot wait for that time,” Kowsella Harripersaud said.
Hazel David, another beneficiary of the programme, said she was employed at another daycare facility for more than nine years. She mentioned that the programme taught her several important factors which she will take along with her when supervising the little ones in her care
In April 2019, the Government commissioned a new Early Childhood Centre at Ithaca, Mahaica-Berbice.