The Education Department of Region One (Barima-Waini) hosted a mini Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAMS) Fair and Exhibition on Saturday on the lawns of the Education Department in Mabaruma to officially begin activities in observance of Education Month 2018, celebrated under the theme “Education for a Good Life – Through Innovation and STEAMS”.
Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley
In delivering remarks at the event, Assistant Chief Education Officer-Primary (ACEO-P) Owen Pollard reminded the gathering of students, teachers and parents that without an effective education system a country cannot progress.
Pollard said it is towards this end that the Education Ministry (MoE) will leave no stone unturned to educate the nation’s children in keeping with modern methodologies and concepts. With a focus on the theme, Pollard said it is imperative that an education system in the 21st century produces children who are able to function in the wider world.
He is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying that, “as a country we need scientists and other technically savvy citizens to guarantee Guyana taking its rightful place in the world”.
Brentnol Ashley, Regional Chairman for Region One, said making education a priority irrespective of any prevailing circumstances is a mantra his region reverences highly. He said, “Children will have the opportunity to unravel the skills they have within,” Ashley quipped.
Further, he noted that it is important to ensure that every child has an opportunity to maximise their potential and leaders should assist in ensuring such opportunities are provided.
The Regional Chairman told the gathering that his region will be expending more monies for the continued development of education in Barima-Waini. “Education is everyone’s business, unless we take ownership of education and place emphasis on its importance much will not be achieved, for a society to be transformed education has to take its rightful place”.
Meanwhile, District Education Officer (Region One), Marti DeSouza was in a celebratory mood because his region in keeping with the theme this year, established their first smart classroom. According to DeSouza, this technology will substitute for a teacher who might be absent since children from another school can be taught by another teacher from a separate school.
The use of the smart classroom was demonstrated at the exhibition whereby students were given a Mathematics lesson on subtraction with regrouping.
The schools participating were Mabaruma, Hosororo, Wauna, Aruka and Barbina Primary schools and North West Secondary.
Following the opening of the Fair, the Welfare Department presented school supplies, inclusive of bags, footwear and exercise books to a number of students.
