Port Kaituma secondary wins JOF Haynes Memorial Inter-Secondary Schools debating competition

More improvements continue to be made in the education system, as Government remains steadfast in its commitment to provide quality education and improve the lives of Guyanese.
            Towards this objective, the Ministry of Education on Tuesday hosted the JOF Haynes Memorial Inter-Secondary Schools debating competition at the Diamond Secondary School auditorium, as part of activities to commemorate Education Month.
            The debating competition took place among students of Diamond Secondary, Region Four, and Port Kaituma Secondary, Region One.


At the head table are Head of the University of Guyana’s Law Department, Professor Calvin Eversley; District Education Officer- Secondary, Lynette Brown and Deputy Chief Education Officer – Development, Bibi Ally; at the Ministry of Education’s Inter-Secondary Schools debating competition.

            Delivering the opening remarks, Distance Chief Executive Officer (development), Bibi Ally said that the annual debating competition is used to celebrate the oratorical expertise of the late JOF Haynes, who was identified as the most brilliant and eminent lawyer of his generation.
            “Joseph Oscar Fitzclarence Haynes was born on July 18, 1912 in New Amsterdam. At the age of 20, he obtained a First-Class Teachers’ Certificate and also passed the London Matriculation Examination,” she said.
            Professor Haynes was also appointed a teacher at the Scot School in New Amsterdam and later the Headmaster of Mara Primary School, Berbice River. In 1942, he completed part two of the Bar Examination and also obtained second-class honours and placed sixth in the world.
            Diamond Secondary, the proposition and Port Kaituma Secondary the opposition debated under the moot: Homework is essential for students’ success.
            Some of the points garnered from the argument of members of the proposition stated that;- homework provides the hub in developing life skills, stimulates creativity, and improve students achievements.
            Members of the opposition in their argument said that while homework is not essential there is no denial of its importance. They also listed successful entrepreneurs and politicians and health pioneers such as Florence Nightingale.
At the end of the contest Port Kaituma Secondary came out as the winner with an average point of 252, compared to 230 from the Diamond Secondary.


Students from the Port Kaituma Secondary School, Region One; who won the debating competition against Diamond Secondary School.  

Shetal Ragnauth of Diamond Secondary copped best debater while Kelly Etwaroo of Port Kaituma Scondary was adjudged best speaker during the presentation.
Chief Judge Lurine Meertins while announcing the results said that she was pleased with the debate since it showed a high level of research conducted.
            Meanwhile, in delivering the feature address, Head of the Law Department, University of Guyana, Professor Calvin Eversley, deemed the debate as an art of advocacy, noting that he was impressed at what he witnessed.
             He also told the participants that if they do what they did in a mutually respectful manner, they would make Guyana proud.
             This year’s winner adds to the Ministry’s past debating champions. These include;- In 2007, Bishops’ High, 2008 Aurora Secondary, Region Two and Anna Regina Secondary, Region Two in 2009.
The activity was also held in keeping with the Education Month theme “Child-Friendly Homes-Child-Friendly Classroom-Quality Education”.

Black Bush man blind after struck by lightening

A 22-year old man has lost his sight after he was struck by lightening on Monday. The young man was identified as Sameer Amin of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder.

            According to reports, Amin around 5;30 pm was standing close to a mesh fence when the lightening struck and went to his eyes, after which he lost consciousnesses and fell to the ground.



Sameer Amin 

After being rushed to the Port Mourant hospital, he regained consciousness an hour later, where he recalled the issue; however, he was unable to open his eyes.

            According to Amin’s mother, Ameena Amin, the following morning, he managed to open his eyes and then realized he could not see. He has since been transferred to a city hospital to undergo additional tests.



Wanted bulletin issued for two men for murder, armed robbery

The police have since issued a wanted bulletin for two men who are being sought for questioning. According to the release, Keron Herbert 24, is wanted for questioning in relation to murder.

Keron Herbert

He is dark in complexion, medium built, 5 feet 5 inches tall and was last known to be living at Lot 31 ‘A’

Morout Square, East

La Penitence.

            While, 22 year old Samuel Fraser is wanted for questioning in relation to a series of robbery-under-arms. Fraser whose last address was given as Liverpool or Cromarty villages, Corentyne is dark in complexion and medium built.

            Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of these men is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 225-2700, 226-2917, 226-1326, 226-2870, 225-6941, 911 or the nearest police station.

            All information will be treated with strict confidence, the release stated.

Developed, developing countries need to be held accountable for MDGs progress - President Jagdeo tells UN summit


President Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday joined other world leaders in New York, where they gathered as part of the United Nations (UN) summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MGGs). The summit was called by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban ki-moon to review, progress against the eight development goals agreed by world leaders in 2000.
            During a packed agenda, he also met with former US President Bill Clinton, and conducted a series of meetings with other world leaders, including Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Australian Foreign Minister (and former Prime Minister) Kevin Rudd.
Speaking at the United Nations Headquarters to a round table of leaders which addressed progress towards the MDGs, the President stressed the need to focus on a holistic approach to meeting the goals’ targets. He said that while it was right to hold developing countries to account for their progress, it was also essential to hold the developed world to account – and he highlighted what he described as double standards in global trade, coupled with the un-balanced approach taken to combat the financial and climate crises.
On Tuesday morning, President Jagdeo joined former US President Bill Clinton at the opening of the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI).
At the opening plenary session, Mr. Clinton and four panelists discussed how corporations, governments, non-profit organisations, foundations, and other stakeholders can collaborate to empower the poor, improve access to education and health care, develop alternative sources of energy, and create a cleaner environment.
Tarja Halonen, president of the Republic of Finland, participated in the panel along with Melinda French Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Robert McDonald, president, chairman, and CEO of Procter & Gamble, and Eric Schmidt, chairman and CEO of Google.
 “CGI members come from 90 different countries, speak many languages, work in all sectors, and approach problems in unique ways,” former President Clinton said. “But together, their desire and capacity to build a better world for our children and grandchildren has resulted in 1,946 commitments, valued at $63 billion dollars, which have already improved nearly 300 million lives."
President Jagdeo will take part in Thursday’s panel session, which will address investing in the world’s forest, one of the seven special sessions set up by Clinton to address key global priorities.
President Jagdeo’s visit continues until Saturday, when he is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly.
The MDGs are  eight international development goals that all 192 UN member  countries  and at least 23 international organizations agreed to achieve by 2015. They were officially established at the Millennium Summit in 2000 where leaders adopted the United Nations Millennium declaration from which the eight goals were promoted. These have 21 targets and a series of measurable indicators for each.
The goals are: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; improve child mortality; improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability and develop a global partnership for development.