Manickchand says Child Care & Protection Agency protocol breach
- resulted in system failure for Gopaul

Following the gruesome murder of 16-year old Neesa Lalita Gopaul and the disturbing details that surfaced with regards to the conditions under which she lived, Government expressed it outrage and disappointment at the way the issue was handled by the relevant authorities which are mandated to ensure that vulnerable groups, particularly children are protected.
            Against this backdrop, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand, on thursday told media operatives that an internal investigation, headed by the Director of Social Services, is being carried out to review the actions that were taken by officials of the Ministry’s Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA). Additionally, an external review is being considered.
            “We have to know exactly where the system erred, why it erred, and what we need to do within the agency as it relates to collaboration with other agencies to prevent these breaches from ever happening again so that we could, as far as possible, prevent the consequences of these breaches,” Minister Manickchand stated.
            The investigation, which is expected to comply with all the fair-hearing rules that govern public law matters, has a deadline of November 5, at which time a report based on the findings as well as recommendations will be made public.
            Over the years, Government has placed considerable emphasis on the protection and well-being of Guyana’s children. As such, several pieces of legislation have been passed in National Assembly and others pending before a parliamentary special select committee, to address the way children are being treated in society.

From left: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Human Services and Social Services, Trevor Thomas, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand, and Public Relations Consultant, Alex Graham during the press conference at the Ministry’s boardroom

            These include: the Protection of Children Act, the Status of the Children Act, the Adoption of the Children Act, and the Childcare and Protection Agency Act.
Moreover, the Sexual Offences Bill of 2010 also makes it mandatory for all reports of sexual abuse and violence to be fully investigated at all levels of the social services and criminal justice systems.
However, the Minister said that “much more could have, and should have been done to protect this girl by all the authorities, sectors and persons who were aware of the complaints of this young girl.”
She added that much more could have been done by the CC&PA as its procedures and protocols for addressing complaints such as those received in this matter; prescribe that more should have been done.
“I sincerely regret that the Child Care and Protection Agency’s intervention in this particular case was not as effective as it should be and fell short of the high standard that has been set by the Agency,” Minister Manickchand submitted.
She explained that based on a preliminary report, certain well-defined protocols/procedures by which the Agency is governed, were not adhered to in this particular case.
The CC&PA was established to protect and preserve the well being of children across Guyana. It also has the mandate to implement policies, decisions and laws governing children, monitor childcare facilities, intervene in cases where a child is abused or neglected and to do whatever is necessary to protect Guyana’s children.
Minister Manickchand emphasised that “we have to use this incident as an opportunity to perfect a system that effectively served many children since the establishment of the Agency.”
The CC&PA, which came into operation in 2009, has since received 3, 175 complaints regarding child abuse, all of which were investigated and some are still being dealt with. Of this number, 602 were recorded as sexual abuse complaints.
The Minister added that 700 children have been placed in “safe care”, while 198 were re-integrated into their families. 
On October 2, Gopaul’s headless body was discovered in suitcase at the Emerald Tower Resort, Madewini, Linden, Soesdyke Highway.  According to reports the teen is alleged to have lived in an abusive home with her mother and stepfather who have since been taken into police custody to assist with investigations into her death.
Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee and Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh, have launched independent investigations into what transpired in this particular matter as it relates to their sector.
The Ministry is renewing its call to the citizenry to speak out against child abuse, since the system of disclosure has worked effectively in the past to protect vulnerable children. The CC&PA’s 24-hour hotline telephone number is 227-0979.          

‘Code of practice’ will ensure Guyana’s conformity with a world class forestry sector practices
- Minister Persaud

In ensuring conformation to international standards as it relates to forestry practices and as Guyana continues in its drive to mitigate the effects of climate change, a workshop to review the code of practice for timber harvesting and non timber forest products was today conducted.
            The forum which was held under the auspices of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) at its Multiplex Building, Kingston, dealt with the traditional and non-traditional forestry products such as nibbi, kuffa and maincole palm. It is also in keeping with activities for Agriculture Month.
            Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, who also has responsibility for forestry, in delivering the feature address, pointed out that oftentimes there are perceptions that whenever there are efforts to have a code of practice, that it was the commission, and by extension Government’s intention to exert more control over the forestry sector.
            Instead, he noted that the initiative is to place Guyana in conformity with the socio-economic practices of a world-class forestry sector that will develop and evolve relevant policies and guidelines, making the sector more sustainable and economically viable.

Attendees during workshop to review the code of practice for timber harvesting and non timber forest products at the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) at its Multiplex Building, Kingston

            “When we talk about forest, we are talking about a range of produce and services both at the primary level and certainly at the value added level. So the notion when we are talking about forest we are only talking about trees is certainly an old fashion and outmoded understanding of what the forest is,” Minister Persaud added.
            Minister Persaud however, indicated that if the sector is to move ahead, then the institutional arrangements and guidelines the commission is seeking to implement, must be assured.
            While speaking on the Forest Bill that was enacted in 2009, Minister Persaud said that apart from the fact that it predates some of the practices that were being carried out, the aim in the final analysis was that Guyana must have a sector that is competitive and viable.
            He noted that if there are no guarantees that Guyana’s timber resources extracted are done in a sustainable way and through a legal verification system; then the products cannot be sold on the international market.
            “The efforts that we are making are intended to ensure that we satisfy those requirements and at the same time we continue to be compatible with national and international requirements. It is not for us to make life difficult for people both in timber and non-timber forestry resources,” he said.
            The initiative is an attempt to have a second revision of the code of practice as it relates to timber harvesting. The first came into effect in 1998 and to date, a number of consultations was held by the GFC, to solicit the views of stakeholders, since it was necessary for the guidelines to be updated.
            While noting that increased emphasis was placed on the code of practice for non-timber resources, he said that exports for the commodity for 2010 have seen an increase from the latter.
            In addition, Minister Persaud said that while furniture and craft exports have been stable, over 7000 pieces of nibbi and kuffa were exported for last year hence, it is important for increased emphasis to be placed on non-timber resources.

Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud addressing the gathering during workshop to review the code of practice for timber harvesting and non timber forest products at the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) at its Multiplex Building, Kingston

            As such, more impetus will be placed on value-added to ensure that more economic activities are done, if the economy is to receive maximum value for its timber resources.
            The GFC will also be placing attention on new areas such as processing.
            Meanwhile, GFC’s Deputy Commissioner Jagdesh Singh, said that the code of practice for timber harvesting was produced in 1994 after a thorough review process and became operational on a voluntary basis in October 1998; with the FAO model code of practice for forest harvesting and the national code of logging practice forming the basic framework for the first edition.
            Based on new information the first edition was extensively reviewed and revised in 2001.
            The code also contains practices and set standards which have been developed based on ongoing research and practical experience both locally and internationally over an eight year period. It also contains guidelines and planning requirements on forest operations, construction works for logging, logging operations, post harvest activities, operational hygiene and waste management, health and safety and social issues.
           Over the year, the Administration has been working assiduously in the protection of its rainforest for climate change mitigation reasons.

Minister Baksh disappointed over UG standards

Minister of Education Shaik Baksh has voiced his disappointment over the quality of education provided and the way Guyana’s main tertiary educational institution; the University of Guyana is being managed.
            His comments came while delivering the feature address at the 14th National Award ceremony for outstanding student performance held at the National Cultural Centre on Wednesday where he also noted that Government will be working closely with the University to improve in their standards.
            According to the Education Minister issues such as the sloth in the registration process, absences of lecturers, delay in marking papers and the external examination system are some of the areas that will be given keen attention.
            This, he said, is to ensure that Guyana’s educational system offered is improved so that persons can benefit.
            He noted that to further build on the impetus of President Bharrat Jagdeo’s vision of having maximum use of Information and Communication Technology in Guyana (ICT), the subject will be added to the school curriculum for offer at the Caribbean Examinations Council exam.
            The Ministry of Education is also looking to establish a sixth form educational institution for students early next year.
            “Government will also be establishing a dedicated learning channel so that all the people in Guyana can benefit while a multi-media centre was also established at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD),” Minister Baksh said.

Every child must access quality education-Minister Baksh at National Award Ceremony to honour students’ performance

The education system must be able to produce students who can make a meaningful contribution to the country, by not only providing academic training but values which are much needed for critical development if the sector is to progress, Education Minister Shaik Baksh told a large gathering of awardees, parents and government and other officials at the 14th National Award ceremony for outstanding performance held at the National Cultural Centre on Wednesday.
            “As we progress over the years we must be clear where we must go and this is to promote tolerance and modernise our country to eliminate illiteracy. It is necessary that high levels of investments be made and the Government of Guyana has been doing just that,” the Education Minister said at the function which was held as part of activities for Education Month.


Minister of Education Shaik Baksh and overall best performer Kelly Ann Persaud of Queen’s College who obtained 15 grades ones at the Ministry of Education’s 14th National Award Ceremony for outstanding Performance 2010

            “In education lies a salvation of any country and that is the reason many countries are investing heavily in Education across the world because it provides the path to all occupation,” he said.
              While referring to a Caricom report on youth development for 2010, Minister Baksh said that the administration is looking at modernizing the school’s curriculum, with focus on teacher training for effective delivery.
            “Guyana is on the move. It is already embarked on re-designing education and the curriculum to strengthening the education system in our country,” he added.
             The report found that the performance in English and Mathematics has declined with the exception of Guyana; however, the country has been behind the Caribbean in terms of its Mathematics performance.
            Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who also graced the ceremony, encouraged the awardees to be role models, noting that both passively and actively their achievements have shown what the country can achieve with the limited resources available.


Prime Minister Samuel Hinds hands over a trophy to an awardee during the Ministry of Education’s 14th National Award Ceremony for outstanding Performance 2010

            While urging them to help others by sharing their knowledge, Mr. Hinds challenged them to remain in Guyana and to make their contribution to the growing economy which has over the years received huge investments by the Administration.  
The 2010 performance showed improvements with a 59 percent pass rate in English and a 35 percent pass rate for Mathematics and according to Minister Baksh, it is anticipated that in 2011 the sector will surpass the 2010 figures due to Government’s interventions.
            A call was also made for parents to play their part as it relates to the upbringing of their children, since the school alone cannot do so. 
            Minister Baksh while indicating that the Education Ministry will continue to provide the requisite resources to raise the standard of education said that the issue of school drop-outs has been proving a challenge for the Ministry, despite several strategies to encourage them to remain and be educated.
            The Education Minister also pointed to the significant six percent decrease in school dropouts and emphasised that should the 30 percent of students’ contribution at tertiary level not be realized, it will amount to a 5.47 percent loss in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
            He also credits the Technical Vocational and Educational Training programme (TVET), as another aspect of successfully reducing the number of school dropouts, thus far.
            Awards were presented in various categories: Best performers at the National Grade Six Assessment, CSEC - Best junior and senior secondary performers, Carnegie School of Home Economics,  Government Technical Education Examination, CSEC Best performer, CAPE Best performer, CSEC Best performer 2009-2010, General Certificate of Education Advanced Level, Most improved primary, and junior and senior secondary schools, and  CPCE Best Graduating student.
            National Grade Six Assessment awardees are;- Sonia Ghir- Mae’s Primary (555 marks), Tauhir Khan-ISA Islamic (553marks) and Victoria Najab-ABC Academy (551marks)
CSEC - Best junior and senior secondary performers; -In the Junior category are: Yeeshana Ganpat- Anna, Regina Secondary-(13 grades 1 and 1 grade 2), Kelly Ann  Persaud of Queen’s College (15 grades 1), Kalina Bulkan-Mae’s Secondary (13 grades 1) Salma Ferouz-Mae’s secondary (13 grades 1), and Krysta Yan – Marian Academy (13 grades 1), while in the senior category are : Kelly Ann Persaud, Saieed Khalil, Lide Forde and Candace Barnes all of Queen’s College with 15, 14, 15 and 14 grades 1 respectively.
Carnegie School of Home Economics:- Anesia Glen – Household Management, Khemraj Bahadr - Catering and Hospitality and  Carolyn Johnson Cosmetology and Hair Care
Government Technical Education Examination: Jermain Lawson, Kushyal Budhan Tynisha Niles and Preston Paul of GTI while Rondell Lachmaren, Lynnel Layne  and Nazimul Ghani of New Amsterdam technical institute were awarded for various programmes.
CSEC best performer was awarded to Kelly Ann Persaud of Queen’s College.
CAPE best performers were: Eileen Marray of New Amsterdam Multilateral, Yana –Marisa Edward, Kia Persaud and Kibwey Peterkin  of Queen’s College; Rebecca Khan and Dinello Mahabir of Bishops High
CSEC best performer 2009-2010 was awarded to Yana –Marisa Edward.
GCE A level – Rizwan Saffie, Dinesh Sukhu and Stefan Hutson all of Queen’s College with four As each
Most Improved Primary school was West Ruimveldt while Most improved Junior Secondary was Tucville Secondary. The Most Improved Senior Secondary was President’s College
Best Graduating Student of Cyril Potter College of Education was Hemant France.