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.
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