The Ministry of Education (MoE) has honoured Region One’s (Barima-Waini’s) top ten National Grade Six Assessment performers at a ceremony held for this purpose at the Mabaruma Primary School.
The children so recognised are: Romario De Souza, Ashira Marciano, Antwon Cush, Triselle Brady, Morano Kenneth, Methodius Chacon, Nicola Atkinson, Shenella Henry, Jazer Torres, Jodeci Fernandes and Orande Fernandes.
Social Cohesion Minister Dr George Norton told the gathering that he came from a background that is similar to that of the children of Mabaruma, although there was much less development during his time.
Declaring that the challenges he had faced did not deter him from achieving, he
Region 7 Chairman Brentnol Ashley; Director of Sport, Christopher Jones; Minister George Norton; and Education Ministry’s CEO, Marcel Hutson, pose with the students and teachers
encouraged the children to stay the course, and continue to work to better themselves.
Minister Dr Norton said he is aware of the challenges parents having school-age children encounter, but it is incumbent upon parents and guardians to play meaningful roles in assisting to educate their children.
According to Dr Norton, Region One has a good track record in regard to performing well and churning out Guyanese of note, and he charged the children to upkeep that tradition.
Chief Education Officer (CEO) Marcel Hutson, in his address to the gathering, explained that it is important for good performance to be recognised.
He had these words for those who have not done so well: “Your life is not determined by how you begin… It is how you intend to script the ending”. Hutson said the MoE is serious about improving performances across the country.
Hutson is of the view that every one of Guyana’s administrative regions has the capacity to do well, and with commitment and support from all stakeholders, change can be made in a positive and impactful manner. Towards this end, Hutson said it is important that all stakeholders work together to transform the education system.
Looking ahead, Hutson quipped that, in 2019, he is optimistic that all of Guyana’s children can get scores of 50 percent and more for all subject areas tested at the NGSA.
However, he said that in order to achieve this, teachers must keep training and parents must be in alignment with the work of the MoE if they are to see continuously improved performances.
