Education on the verge of a magnificent turn – CEO

Education Day 2017

Just last year, President David Granger designated the second Friday in the academic month of September as National Education Day.
Stemming from that, the Education Ministry on Friday staged a grand education

rally and innovation fair, during which scores of institutions from across the country, representing each level within the sector took to D’Urban Park, Georgetown in celebration of this occasion.
It was at this event that the Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson posited that the sector is on the verge of a magnificent turn thereby making way for continued growth in education.
“Quality education does not only enlighten but it also empowers citizens and enables them to contribute to the maximum extent to the social and economic development of their communities,” Huston underlined.
On that note, the Chief Education Officer indicated that, “We believe that we are on the very of a magnificent turn around in our education sector. However, a union of the school, home and the community is critical to the development and sustainability of this process.”
Echoing the sentiments of Hutson was Education Minister, Nicolette Henry, who noted that there is much to celebrate given the successes deriving from the Government’s many initiatives.
Henry pointed out that through employing a more innovative approach, the administration managed to record significant achievements within the last year.
“During the last academic year we have tried new things. As a Government we have spent vast sums on improving education and, I have to be fair, some things did get better, which indicates that Education is clearly an area where money makes a difference,” the Minister stated.
She then alluded to some of the undertakings of the ministry of which the launching of the Commission of Inquiry and mainstreaming a the National Grade Six Intervention were some of the main highlights.
With that in mind, Henry conveyed, “We are focusing on quality education for every child and a good school for every family. That may sound basic, but it’s absolutely fundamental to creating an improved education system. Helping every child fulfil their potential and helping to make Guyana a place where anyone who works hard can get ahead.”
Moreover, the education minister pledged commitment to the continuous growth in the quality of education offered throughout the country and called on the different stakeholders to play their part as well.
Meanwhile, President David Granger in delivering the feature address at the celebrations on Friday congratulated the ministry, especially in light of the positive results emanating from the NSGA, CSEC and other major exams this year.
Granger took the opportunity to outline the main focus of the administration by indicating the areas within this sector that are at the forefront of their concerns.
“Our major concern is to provide easy access, that children wherever they live must have access to schools. If children can’t get to schools, the schools must get to the children. But we have an obligation to make sure that every child gets to schools,” the President said.
He also noted call for the construction of more educational facilities to better cater for the holistic development of the nation’s children. Even with that he noted that the schools will not be sufficient unless the institutions provide for the special needs of Guyanese students (including those living with disabilities). President Granger said that ‘every child in school’ is not a slogan, but a declaration of intent and a commitment on the part of his Government to remove the impediments that hinder access to education. As such he urged parents, teachers and citizens as a whole, to embrace this motto.
This year’s Education Month events are being observed under the theme: ‘Promoting wellness in communities through quality education.’