FACT STEM programme records major academic gains among Berbice students

…27 Grade 6 candidates secure secondary school placements
…CSEC students obtain passes in 5 to 17 subjects

Students enrolled in the Family, Awareness, Consciousness, Togetherness (FACT) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) after-school programme at Skeldon, East Berbice-Corentyne, have recorded encouraging academic improvements, with organisers reporting that marks among previously struggling learners have risen from as low as 25 per cent to more than 50 per cent, with some results reaching 89 per cent.
The achievements were highlighted on Sunday during the programme’s graduation and orientation ceremony, where organisers celebrated the progress of children enrolled during the past academic year and welcomed another group of participants.

According to FACT Executive Director Annette Jaundoo, 162 children were enrolled in the programme during the previous academic year, with all 27 students who sat the National Grade Six Assessment securing secondary school placements in Regions Four and Six.
Students who wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations also obtained passes ranging from five to 17 subjects.
Jaundoo attributed the achievements to sustained academic support and the efforts of teachers who work closely with children experiencing difficulties with their schoolwork.
“We have some slow learners that we have special teachers working with them,” she explained during an interview following the ceremony.
She said some children who previously obtained marks of 25 and 42 per cent had subsequently improved their performance, with results exceeding 50 per cent and reaching as high as 89 per cent.
The programme caters for children between the ages of seven and 17, providing after-school instruction alongside opportunities to develop practical skills and explore career options.
Jaundoo explained that classes are conducted four days weekly, with two days allocated to primary school students and two to those attending secondary schools.
Additional mathematics and English instruction is provided four days weekly for Grade Six and Grade 11 students preparing for their respective examinations.
She said many of the teachers involved in the programme also teach at schools attended by participating children, allowing them to identify weaknesses and provide targeted assistance.
This arrangement, she explained, enables the programme to reinforce classroom instruction while helping students overcome difficulties that might otherwise affect their academic performance.

Expanding opportunities
Apart from the examination results, FACT has been expanding opportunities for students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Participants are introduced to robotics, technology-based activities, life-skills training and career guidance intended to help them make informed decisions about their futures.
Jaundoo said one of the important developments during the past year was the introduction of job-readiness training for students completing secondary school.
The initiative, undertaken in collaboration with ExxonMobil Guyana and CIDAR, was intended to help young people prepare for employment and further training.
FACT has also been encouraging students to explore technical and vocational education, with former participants pursuing studies at institutions including the Government Technical Institute, the New Amsterdam Technical Institute and the University of Guyana.
Jaundoo highlighted the BuildHer initiative, which exposed young women to opportunities in engineering and other technical fields, as another example of the programme’s efforts to broaden career choices.

Personal development
For former FACT student Kiara Solomon, the programme has provided benefits extending well beyond academic instruction.
Solomon, a former Berbice High School student who is now pursuing English Literature at the University of Guyana, told the gathering that her involvement had contributed significantly to her personal development.
“I would say the person I was before starting, the person I am today, is two completely different persons,” she declared.
She recalled the challenges of travelling from school in New Amsterdam to attend programme activities at Skeldon, but said the experience had been worthwhile.
Solomon credited the organisers and facilitators with providing encouragement and guidance throughout her educational journey.
She also revealed that four of her five younger siblings are currently enrolled in the programme, reflecting her family’s continued involvement in the initiative.
Parents attending the ceremony similarly expressed appreciation for the additional educational support provided to their children.
One parent reported noticeable improvements in reading and spelling, particularly among children who had previously experienced learning difficulties.
Another parent highlighted the confidence children had developed through participation in the programme, explaining that some who were previously reluctant to speak publicly had become more comfortable interacting with others.
The parent said children had also benefited from opportunities to socialise and participate in organised activities outside their regular school environment.

ExxonMobil & STEM education
ExxonMobil Guyana Community Relations Advisor Ryan Hoppie reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting educational opportunities for young people.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hoppie congratulated the graduating students and welcomed those preparing to begin the programme.
He emphasised that STEM education was not limited to preparing students for careers in science and engineering but also involved developing abilities that could be applied across numerous professions.
“It’s about thinking critically. It’s about problem solving. It’s about working together with other people,” Hoppie told the gathering.
He encouraged students to recognise that the skills developed through the programme could help them pursue careers in a wide range of fields, including technology, agriculture and business.
Hoppie also acknowledged the contribution of FACT’s organisers, teachers, mentors and volunteers, noting that partnerships were important to expanding educational opportunities within communities.
He commended the organisation for working with other agencies and institutions to provide additional services for students and their families.

Remain focused
Assistant Chief Education Officer for Secondary Education Sherwyn Blackman also congratulated the graduating students and encouraged them to remain committed to their educational ambitions.
Blackman emphasised that academic achievement should be accompanied by personal development, positive values and the ability to interact effectively with others.
He noted that education should prepare children not only to pass examinations but also to become responsible and productive members of society.
Addressing students who might not have achieved their preferred examination results or secured places at their first-choice schools, Blackman urged them not to allow setbacks to determine their future.
“A delayed start is never a denied victory,” he reminded them.
He explained that students could still achieve their ambitions even when their educational journeys did not begin as they had hoped.
Blackman also highlighted the importance of family support and encouraged parents to remain actively involved in their children’s education.
He commended FACT for providing an environment in which children could receive academic guidance while benefiting from mentorship and other forms of assistance.

Support
Meanwhile, Jaundoo explained that FACT’s approach also involves identifying challenges affecting the families of participating children and connecting them with agencies capable of providing assistance.
The organisation works with partners to facilitate training opportunities for parents, including computer training and commercial food preparation.
Some mothers who benefited from these opportunities have become involved in activities supporting the programme.
FACT also provides meals and transportation for participating children, helping to ensure that they can attend after-school sessions safely.