NSC launches “Chess in Schools” grassroots initiative at Fort Wellington Secondary
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has launched its ‘Chess in Schools’ grassroots initiative at the Fort Wellington Secondary School on the West Coast of Berbice (Region 5).
Children participating in a game of chess
This venture is the rollout of a nationwide initiative that aims to inculcate the playing of chess in schools not only as an extracurricular activity, but also for educational purposes.
‘Chess in Schools’ is a worldwide programme that is mainly being pushed by the World Chess Federation (WCF). There are, worldwide, more than 100 countries that promote the playing of chess in their schools. Countries such as Russia, China, Armenia and a host of European countries promote the playing of chess within their school systems.
Director of Sports, Christopher Jones, and FIDE National Instructor Wendell Meusa visited the Fort Wellington Secondary on Friday to launch this programme.
There, Jones told his audience, “Chess contributes to mental development (mental education) such as critical thinking, which has (been) proven to help students academically and ultimately in life”. Jones also said, “NSC realizes the additional value chess can add to Guyana’s school system, and will continue to promote this initiative nationwide.”
Following up on his last-term visit to Region 6 schools such as Berbice High School and New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School, National Instructor Meusa will be hosting a one-week training programme for teachers and students from Byvegal, Bush Lot, Fort Wellington and Mahaicony Secondary schools. This one-week training programme will commence with training for students on Monday October 7, and run until Thursday October 10; while teachers’ training will be on October 11th with a one-day beginner’s tournament to be held on October 12 at Fort Wellington Secondary.
The top two teams will go on to play against Berbice High School in New Amsterdam, as they ultimately aim to represent Region 5 at the intended Guyana National Inter-Schools Chess Championships.
