MoE continues to push for Venezuelan children to learn English as 2nd language
– as IOM donates workbooks, art supplied to MoE
Some 300 Venezuelan children who migrated to Guyana now have the opportunity to benefit from English as a second language (ESL) through the donation of workbooks and art supplies from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to the Education Ministry.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) donated English as a second language (ESL) learning supplies to the Education Ministry on Monday
IOM Head of Office in Guyana, Erina Yaw, on Monday handed over these learning resources to the Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, Alfred King, who in turn expressed gratitude for the continued support the IOM has given to the education sector, particularly in assisting to provide the migrant population with quality education.
King added that for the first time in Guyana, the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) papers were translated into Spanish to accommodate migrant children, giving them a fair chance at attempting the examination in their first language.
Work, however, is still being done through the Ministry’s Disaster Risk Prevention and Migrant Support Unit to ensure the children learn the language.
Last September, this unit conducted a two-day ESL workshop which saw the participation of 28 teachers from 18 schools in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
This training has equipped the teachers with the skills to provide linguistic support to returning Guyanese, Venezuelans and Indigenous children, to minimise their language barriers and help them more easily integrate into the local education system.
Coordinator of the Migrant Unit, Shanti Bisnauth, shared that the donation would aid the Ministry’s efforts to transform the country’s education sector by providing equitable education to vulnerable children across the country.
In addition, the IOM Head of Office in Guyana, Erina Yaw, explained that the IOM is open to supporting other educational initiatives within the Ministry, and is thankful for this growing partnership.
During this meeting, the IOM and the Education Ministry also signed a local cooperation agreement to signify a commitment to supporting migrant children in Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
