“There are numerous opportunities” – Reg 5 Chair tells students to elevate educational pursuit

Chairman of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Vickchand Ramphal, has urged secondary school graduates to take advantage of the numerous opportunities available in Guyana to further their education.
“Don’t sit with your couple subjects and relax, there are numerous opportunities available…,” he told top CSEC [Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate] and CAPE [Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination] 2024 performers in the region.
He was at the time speaking at Region Five’s Annual Awards Ceremony for top performers at CAPE, CSEC, and the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), held on Thursday at Immanuel Multi-Purpose Hall at Hopetown, West Coast Berbice.
Ramphal pointed out that there is the GOAL scholarship programme through which students can obtain a diploma, degree, or PhD from one of several universities worldwide.
“The Government will pay for it, and once you have stable internet, you can study right from your home and become qualified,” Ramphal told the students.
He also noted that the University of Guyana is now offering all courses free, and he encouraged students to further their studies.
He told students that the new Bath Hospital which will soon come into operation will employ more than 200 persons from the region.
“And some of you who wrote the CSEC will be employed there. Currently, there is training ongoing for persons to work at that hospital. Not only will persons work directly, but there will be many other opportunities that will exist around that environment. There will be a need for persons to provide taxi services, a need for persons to prepare meals. So, you can open a catering business or a small snackette; there are opportunities for every single one of you right here in Region Five. Apart from that, we will be having two call centres; one in Mahaicony and one in this part of the region… When those two projects are completed, there will be over 400 persons from Region Five that will be employed there,” Ramphal detailed.
“Parents, I am saying all of this to give you that assurance that, when your child leaves school, there is something meaningful for them to do; and we need your support and guidance to take them through and along the path,” the Chairman added.
The Region’s top 10 CSEC, top 10 NGSA, and top six CAPE students were awarded for their outstanding achievements. Additionally, a special award was given to the region’s top Special Education Needs Disability (SEND) student, Shivkumar Jaggernauth.
The Department of Education also acknowledged the contributions of 16 teachers who have over 30 years of service, and 11 who recently retired.
Three schools in the region with over 50 percent pass in the core subjects at NGSA were also honoured. Those schools are Mortice Primary, Zealand Primary, and Augsburg Primary.

Nation builders
Meanwhile, Director of School Boards of the Education Ministry, Volika Jaikishun, called on parents to support their children as she referred to them as the nation’s builders.
“Today we recognise and celebrate the efforts of our educators who have dedicated their lives to this noble profession of teaching. Their perseverance, patience, and passion for education have made a lasting impact on countless amounts of students. Your long service to the education sector is a testimony of your unwavering commitment to our nation’s future leaders,” she expressed.
In a word of advice, Jaikishun said parents should continue to be role models to their children.
“Continue to be that support until you take your last breath…Visit school regularly, check on them, check their books, check their phones, their computers, so you can know what they are doing,” she said.
Directly addressing the students, she said today is their opportunity to build the tomorrow they want.
Jaikishun, a former Regional Education Officer of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), mentioned five pillars which, if implemented in their daily lives, would assist in guiding them through both challenges and triumphs. These are: to be truthful, righteous, peaceful, loving, and to avoid violence. (G4)