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Canada-based Guyanese donate 400 netbooks to Education Ministry
The Ministry of Education yesterday received 100 laptops from two Canada-based Guyanese businessmen. The men also promised a further 300 within weeks.
Alan Zakhir and his business partner, Chris Sammy, made the presentation yesterday to Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh, during a ceremony at the NCERD building, yesterday.
From left, Canadian business minds, Chris Sammy, Zakhir, Education Minister, Shaik Baksh, and Permanent Secretary, Phulandar Kandhai during the presentation yesterday.
Minister Baksh lauded the efforts of the businessmen. He said that the donation was very timely given the Ministry and the government’s drives to make information technology available to all Guyanese.
Baksh said that since he took up office as Education Minister he has been pushing for better Information Technology in schools.
He noted that today he is proud to say that many of the Ministry’s vision have been realised.
Baksh noted that while the Ministry is moving toward having the 110 secondary schools in Guyana equipped with computer laboratories, there is also the need for teachers to be trained in the same field.
Efforts are being made to set up Information Technology laboratories at the Cyril Potter College of Education and at the University of Guyana.
He noted that this initiative will work well with the Ministry’s plan to have IT labs established in primary schools as well.
Already the Ministry has trained some 2,000 teachers in information technology. This training programme is to be expanded and coincides with the learning channel that was recently launched.
Baksh further stated that the Ministry’s programme will not only cater for coastland schools but also for school in the hinterland locations.
And on hand to witness the computer donation were secondary school children from Region Nine. Meanwhile, the Minister added that while the Ministry is doing its part, there are other organisations whose support is needed.
“Persons have expressed their interest to adopt schools, and in doing so the Ministry stands ready to build the labs, furnish them and all we are asking for are the computers.”
Baksh further pointed out that there are currently several other organisations that are working closely with the Ministry and the Government, and for this he is thankful.
Zakhir, one of the donors, said that he is pleased to be a part of this gesture while noting that it came about out of the goodness of his heart.
Zakhir noted that this project will also go well with the Government’s One Laptop Per Family Project. The Canada-based businessman, who was born in the city but spent his early years in West Demerara, reiterated the importance of early computer education in children and the benefits.
Asked to comment on the cost of the 400 computers, Zahkir would only say that it is about how much money he and Sammy would spend on entertainment in three months.
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