“Parents must play their part” – Education Minister

Parental involvement is key to the improvement of educational outcomes; recognising this, the Education Ministry on Monday held a Parent Seminar at the North Ruimveldt Secondary School, to engage the parents, guardians, and teachers.

According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) report, in attendance were representatives of the Parent-Teachers Associations (PTAs) of every nursery, primary and secondary school in the Georgetown education district. The move was commended by all present.
Speaking to the parents present, Education Minister Nicolette Henry explained the seriousness with which the Ministry took its role in the process of educating Guyana’s future.
“We want our students, irrespective of where they live and whatever their circumstances, to be exposed to the best possible education that we can offer them as a country and as a people, and so it is not by accident that we have established a unit that engages and works and supports parents to get that involvement, engagement, partnership, and collaboration,” Henry is quoted by DPI as saying.
Chief Education Officer, Dr Marcel Hutson underscored the Ministry’s commitment to engaging parents as it worked to ensure higher educational standards. “This seminar could not have come at a better time, since we, in the Ministry of Education, are keen on transforming the sector and producing students that are of quality and in keeping with the SDG 4 agenda which speaks to quality, equity, inclusivity, and lifelong learning,” Dr Hutson remarked.
Additionally, he spoke to the parental support needed to create impactful change in the education system.
Also engaging the parents were National PTA Coordinator Nadia Hollingsworth and Senior Guidance and Counselling Officer Vickram Mohabir, who both emphasised the importance of having all persons involved in the education of a child.
Mohabir described the ideal school system as a ‘tripartite’ one, where the school, inclusive of teachers and educators, work collaboratively with students and parents to ensure the best possible educational outcomes. Hollingsworth then underscored the importance of PTAs in schools and the support needed from parents through regular attendance at meetings.