Ministry aspiring to have “more rounded” students exit secondary schools – Manickchand

…STEAM fair returns with innovative ideas

Even as Guyana continues to emerge as a topper at national and regional examinations, Education Minister Priya Manickchand has positioned that well-rounded students must exit the school system in creating better citizens and future leaders.

The Education Ministry on Monday opened its national Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) fair at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).
This initiative is being held under the theme: “Transforming Education Through Innovation and STEAM” and returns after a hiatus of five years. Surrounding the idea was the expectation that projects would be relevant and sustainable to find solutions to local, regional and national problems.
At the event, the Education Minister shared what the vision is for students in the system.

“We also want to see more rounded students. We want to make sure every child exits the secondary school academically sound but also with exposure to at least one instrument, one sport, one foreign language, one TVET subject and a strong sense of volunteerism. We have to do that together,” she told the gathering.
Moreover, she underlined that giving every person an opportunity to pursue their ambitions is high on the agenda as the country develops rapidly amid the newfound oil wealth.
“What we are building out in this country is a place where everybody gets an opportunity to be whatever they want to be and the environment where that is supported so that each family is successful. Even as the buildings go up and the roads and bridges are built and the skyline changes, the President Irfaan Ali has been very clear that he believes the best investment is investment in our people, in our children, in our next generation.”

In a country where many doors are opening up for new opportunities, persons have been urged to grab them as they become available.
“You will have a choice. In these kinds of developing countries, where opportunities are aplenty, there isn’t much space for people to hold your hand and take you to the opportunity. You have to race to those doors to be able to access what services are behind the doors,” she charged.
The STEAM fair has provided an opportunity for students to share their innovative ideas and problem-solving skills with the public. And it is an avenue, Manickchand shares, that provides children from all across the country to participate.
“Anna Regina is here. Abram Zuil is here. Golden Grove is here. Hope is here. Schools across this country are here today participating. Bring your children here to see the various innovations happening, to see how they themselves can take things in their backyard and make it into something valuable.”
The Minister added that STEAM fits into the new Guyana which Government is trying to accomplish, where there is inclusivity and collaboration among citizens.
Realising that mathematics was a challenge for many at the National Grade Six Assessment level, CV Nunes Primary, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) sought to create games to promote an interactive learning experience.
Lead by Teacher Marlene Persaud, she shared what it was like preparing for the fair, “It was a challenge. Time was very limited but we came together as a team. We have a large school of about 54 teachers and 800 children so the first thing is that we came up with all these games.”
Woodley Park Primary School in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) also focused on ways to make Mathematics fun using games.
Hailing from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), students would have adopted the concept of using trash to create sustainable fashion, raising awareness on pollution. Meanwhile, Belle West Primary from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) came up with a method to clean up oil spills using the water hyacinth plant.
Fort Ordinance Primary School sought to introduce an entirely new public transportation system for the country using a tram system to reduce traffic congestion.
Liam Ramsarran expressed, “There’s a lot of vehicles on the roads. It also reduces vehicle congestion and air pollution. It has plenty of space and it is very cheap. Plenty of people would use it and reduce the number of vehicles on the road.”
The curtains for the national STEAM fair will come down on April 5. (G12)