Education on the verge of a magnificent turn – CEO

President David Granger last year designated the second Friday in the month of September as National Education Day; and stemming from that declaration, 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 the Jubilee (D’Urban) Park in Georgetown in celebration of this occasion.
President David Granger, in delivering the feature address at the celebrations, congratulated the Education 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 its 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 school,” the President said.
He also noted calls for the construction of more educational facilities to better cater for the holistic development of the nation’s children. Even with that, he noted, 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 the term ‘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.
Earlier, Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson, addressing the gathering, had 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.
“We believe we are on the verge of a magnificent turnaround in our education sector. However, a union of the school, home and the community is critical to the development and sustainability of this process,” he explained.
And echoing Hutson’s sentiments, Education Minister Nicolette Henry had noted that there is much to celebrate, given the successes deriving from the Government’s many initiatives.
She pointed out that, through employing a more innovative approach, the administration has 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,” Minister Henry stated.
Alluding to some of the undertakings of the Education Ministry, she mentioned the launching of the Commission of Inquiry and mainstreaming the National Grade Six Intervention as some of the main highlights.
Minister 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.”
The Education Minister has pledged commitment to the continuous growth in the quality of education offered throughout the country, and has called on the different stakeholders to play their part as well.
This year’s Education Month events are being observed under the theme: ‘Promoting wellness in communities through quality education.’