Excelling at exams requires more than hard work and sacrifice

Jul 01, 2018 News

STEMGuyana has congratulated the top performers at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). It understands the hard work and sacrifice it took them to get there.
But according to co-founder of STEMGuyana, Karen Abrams, achieving at such a high level at the NGSA and CXC also needs access to quality learning resources and the right supportive environment; parents, teachers, books, lessons, money.
Abrams said, “This is the piece of support that often eludes children who attend under-resourced schools, students who live in abusive environments or with parents who have no way to access the funds to make these resources a reality for their children and this happens all around the world. In most countries, and like Guyana, there is no equal access to a quality education for all.”
She said that more than 40 percent of children in Guyana do not pass the numeracy assessment in the second grade, and by the sixth grade more than 60% fail. The children who thrive have excellent support and historically, it is these children who then went on to reap the best academic and job related opportunities in Guyana, but no longer does it have to be so, Abrams said.
Speaking specifically to the parents and children who did not make it into the ‘top schools’, Abrams said “Please know that learning is a life-long journey. Because of access to technology, all children now have an opportunity to learn continuously outside of the education system.
Children now have access to high quality and free educational resources which can help to strengthen their academic skills and even provide access to learning unavailable in the Guyanese academic context.”
Highlighting that the Ministry Of Public Telecommunications has made free internet access available to more than 100 community hub sites, the STEMGuyana co-founder has implored parents to encourage their children to use them.
“We encourage the participation in after-school youth programmes like Literacy and Numeracy programmes sponsored by the Office Of The First Lady, Youth Volunteer Corps, STEMGuyana’s after-school STEM clubs, Department of Youth’s programs, or the many free academic programmes sponsored by various civil society groups in your various communities.”
She continued, “The next challenge is to ensure that curricula designed to strengthen fundamental literacy, numeracy and STEM education are available at all academic levels in these after-school programs, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Additionally we must do away with the strong culture of shame for seeking academic support for literacy, numeracy and academic enrichment, which is prevalent in many corners of our society.”
“Today more than any other time in history, it is not only the educationally swift who will win in the end, there is also room for those who are determined to learn, who are honest about the help they need, who invest time in life-long learning, who seek help, who venture outside of the norms and who commit to life-long self improvement.”

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