First Lady Mrs Sandra Granger said on Friday that education is the only way to ensure that young people achieve their full potential and are able to participate in the sustainable growth and development of themselves, their families, communities, and the country as a whole.
Speaking at a Youth Conference hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
First Lady Mrs Sandra Granger poses with participants and facilitators of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Youth Conference
Day Saints at Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, the First Lady said she hopes that participants also see the importance of embracing education and learning in both the journey to achieve their goals and in order to become productive citizens.
“Because of the Twenty-First Century global environment, I hope that it [education] is also of burning importance to you, our leaders of the Twenty-First Century; because you will inherit and be responsible for our environment, which includes not only the geographical space occupied by our nation, but the impact on the social, economic and political life of its citizens, and the conservation of our flora and fauna,” the First Lady is quoted as saying by the Ministry of the Presidency.
She said Guyana is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, and therefore decisions have to be made on how those resources can be harnessed and utilised in a way that leads to sustainable development.
The First Lady told the youths that some of the issues the country will face as a result of climate change can be addressed through the formal education system. However, the vital human element needed to guide and implement policies needs to be buttressed by instilling moral values in the people.
“In essence, our children have to be nourished in every sense of the word from early childhood. They must be trained in behaviours which recognise and respect the intrinsic value of every human being. These behaviours must be underlined and reinforced as they enter the formal education system; so that, while pursuing academic achievement, our young people develop an ingrained sense of what is good and just,” the First Lady said.
Following her presentation, the First Lady had a brief interaction with her audience. At the close of the session, the Guyana National Director of Public Affairs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Sister Rowena Bowen, presented her with a token of appreciation for her words of advice and her willingness to participate in the session.
