The Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Cohesion/National Sports Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Education conducted Part One of the Chess in Schools -Teachers’ Training Programme at the National Aquatic Center – V.I.P Gallery which consisted of teachers from primary and secondary schools from The programme began on Wednesday February 21and the next day with the Georgetown division. The programme taught teachers the fundamentals of how to play chess, World Chess Federation (FIDE) Chess Laws and How to Teach Chess.
Some students enjoying the beautiful game of chess
The participants will be working along with National Chess Coach Wendell Meusa to successfully implement chess into schools locally.
The main aims of this programme was to: To introduce chess into the national school systems, create school chess clubs that will be overseen by teachers and managed by National Coach, to introduce teaching of chess as a regular subject within official school curriculum countrywide and to improve mathematics competence as well as general (educational, psychological, social and emotional) development of our primary children.
Wendell Meusa makes his way around during the session with Georgetown teachers in the National Aquatic Centre viewing gallery
The purpose of this programme was to: prepare and train teachers on how to teach chess and manage school chess clubs, provide schools with free chess equipment, provide methodological support for teachers, launch an Annual National Conference on Education through Chess in School, provide textbooks in preferential price for school children participating in the programme and assist schools in organizing chess tournaments and events.
This programme was structured around the World Chess Federation (FIDE) Chess in School initiative and follows the implementation steps of countries such as Armenia, Russia, USA, China and even Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados to have chess implemented in schools mandatory as a subject or as a after school club.
Additionally, the preparation for special training programmes for teachers working with students of special educational needs (Deaf & Dumb) in cooperation with special education specialists are being planned. The Chess in School initiative promotes Chess for Education seeking to use the mental benefits associated to chess for a greater and better development of every child. This programme was organized and instructed by Guyana’s National Champion, FIDE National Instructor and NSC National Chess Coach CM (Candidate Master) Wendell Meusa and Chess Assistants Orel Richardson and Arianna Lalloo. This workshop is one of many and will be completed across various regions in Guyana such as Berbice, Bartica, Essequibo and Lethem.
