Learning Channel introduces “Whiz Kids” for Grade 6 students

The Education Ministry, through the Guyana Learning Channel, has launched its “Whiz Kids” game show, another facet of its goal to better equip students with opportunities to excel.

The game show features Grade Six students from various primary schools competing against each other in four core subject areas, namely: Mathematics, English Language, Science and Social Studies. Thus far, there are two finalists and the grand finale will be on July 28, 2021.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand acknowledged that the past year has not been easy for students, parents and teachers; given the COVID-19 pandemic, floods and a long election process.
She said that the new programmes and initiatives launched by the Ministry such as the NGSA Booster Programme, the Quiz Me platform, the printing of worksheets and the creation and distribution of study packages are all in sync with equipping students to succeed. She said that though tragedies and interruptions occur naturally, how we respond makes the difference.
Speaking to Grade Six students, the Minister said, “You have to rise up. You have to face it and you have to overcome it. So, whenever you meet a challenge in your life, remember this lesson that you can rise up, you can face it and you can overcome it. That’s what we tried to do with these programmes.”
Moreover, Minister Manickchand said that despite the provision of these programmes and resources, the public school system has to improve on the outcomes produced. She said that teachers need to get on board and allow themselves to be assessed, evaluated and assisted to do better. Moreover, parents need to be involved.
“You have to be interested in what your children are doing. The Ministry of Education alone cannot do that. We cannot continue like this. We have to do it with a view of getting better results…There will be no space in the sector for laziness; from parents, from teachers, from education officers.
With 39 days left for the official NGSA, Minister Manickchand said that the Ministry will keep systems stable to ensure a smooth sitting of the examination which is being managed by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).
Malachi Seales of North Georgetown Primary School, a Grade Six student and a “Whiz Kids” finalist said that being on the show has been beneficial to him, especially whenever he got a question wrong or was corrected by a fellow contestant.
Meanwhile, Grade Six student Justin Goberdhan of Mae’s Schools said that the competition has been tough during the pandemic but it has been helpful since he is able to learn whether he gets the question wrong or right.
Whiz Kids is aired on Wednesdays and Fridays at 19:00h on the Guyana Learning Channel (GLC), its Facebook page and is available on the GLC’s YouTube channel.
Head of Distance Learning, Anieshaw Mohamed said the Guyana Learning Channel will not stop at “Whiz Kids” but has plans of launching “Mathletes” and a Spelling Bee competition soon to engage more students to give them that experience to feel great about themselves.