Education Ministry launches 2010 work study programme

Jun 19, 2010 News

Some of the students at yesterday’s orientation

– emphasis placed on good mannerism

The importance of good mannerism in the office setting was emphasised yesterday when the Ministry of Education launched its Georgetown District 2010 work-study programme in the Queen’s College auditorium.
Over 42 agencies have signed on to be a part of the programme, which will furnish more than 300 work-study placements for a period of eight weeks.
Addressing the gathering of students yesterday, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Secondary), Melcita Bovell, said that the secondary sector has been tasked with ensuring that secondary students are prepared for the world of work. In the course of preparing students for their respective professional forte, she revealed that special workshops are engaged to boost the process.
“We try to help them better understand how they should present themselves at the workplace. So some of the things we cover in those modules are deportment, dress, etc.”
Of equal importance is mannerism, Bovell said, even as she emphasised that there are proper manners that should be embraced and practiced when working in an office.
“It is sad that in Guyana we can call an office and somebody says ‘Yes, No she not here’ and just hangs up. We want our students to understand that when they enter the world of works they are not entering and behaving as things were five and 10 years ago. You are also supposed to take into that world new thinking that represents the ideal.”
As such, she cautioned the students to spend some time familiarising themselves with office ethics and good practice and dealing with members of the public.
Also present at yesterday’s launch which also constituted an orientation session, Principal Education Officer, Marcel Hutson, stressed the point that work study is in fact an important factor in the lives of students and the integral role it plays in fostering partnership in education.
“We all know that this is a policy that was orchestrated by the Ministry of Education because of the numerous benefits that one can derive from it, as students you are given an opportunity at an early stage to be exposed to the world of work and therefore to await what is expected and required of you when the time would have come for you to perform as workers in the work force.”
Through work study too, she said that students are given the chance to channel and develop their abilities in areas of their own interest and by extension receive the kind of mentorship that will auger well for their developmental process.
And from the perspective of the agencies, Hutson said that this is a perfect opportunity for them to spot the persons with talents and skills and mark them for recruitment and future employment.
“It is critical that our young people be employed in the areas where they can utilise their knowledge and skills in the process so that they can be productive and prosperous.”
He warned the participating students that they have a mandate to make full use of the opportunity that has been granted to them. “You need to demonstrate discipline and industriousness that are required for you to serve as work study students. I am sure that if this is done you would make your schools proud and the Department of Education would be proud of you in your endeavours.”