69 teens from Region 6 graduate from ITC Code Camp

Scores of teenagers of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) can now boast about the new skills they have acquired after participating in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Code Camp 2019.
The programme commenced on February 9 and saw 48 youths from the Corentyne district taking advantage of the course and another 21 participating from the town of New Amsterdam. The courses concluded on July 27, 2019.
On Thursday, both batches received their certificates at separate graduation ceremonies, marking their successful completion of the six-month IT journey.
Kashnarine Seepersaud, one of the top students from the Corentyne Coast, was not hesitant to speak about his new-found knowledge, which he believes will benefit him in the future.
Seepersaud was among the group of individuals who participated in the intermediate training. “I did HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and Python, but I enjoyed Python more. Every week that I came, it helped me to improve a lot in school. When I am older, I want to become a web designer with this knowledge I would have received.”
Fifteen-year-old Simeon Jonas, who underwent the level one training, was adjudged the top student. The award for most improved pupil went to Yogita Mangru, and the best attendance award was received by Dharshan Samlall. The special awardees received a digital tablet each, compliments of the Public Telecommunications Ministry.
Over at New Amsterdam, the highly-anticipated graduation and award ceremony was held in the auditorium of the Technical Institute. Isaiah Chand, Atonio Ramcharran, Nashon Mahadeo, and Dhanesh Ramnarais were acknowledged for their efforts in gaining 100 per cent passes.
“Throughout this course, we achieved so much. For me, I now know how to create and develop websites; we learnt coding and many other lessons which can help young people. The course is beneficial because it will help me with my SBAs (School-Based Assessments) and my upcoming examinations,” the aspiring IT teacher said during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI).
Meanwhile, Ngoshe Simon noted that at first, it was hard coping with the various instructions and lessons, but she was glad for the opportunity and improved by studying hard.
She too was gifted an electronic tablet for being the most improved student in her class.
Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes stated that the Code Camp initiative was aimed at exposing youths to technology at an early age.
“Many of you know that the whole world is moving in all kinds of technological directions and technology really has an opportunity to transform. So, for us, we (Government) felt that there are so many things that Guyana will be able to do in a more efficient manner if we start to embrace technology.”
Minister Hughes emphasised that the Government continued to invest in the ICT sector, which will put Guyana in a better place.
According to the Minister, other regions in Guyana will benefit from similar training and the Ministry will continue working to enhance the sector.