Latest update March 24th, 2025 7:05 AM
Minister anticipates improved IT, Science performances at Berbice schools …as laboratories are commissioned
With moves by the Ministry of Education to commission information technology and science laboratories at schools in Berbice, it is anticipated that performances in these subject areas will noticeably improve.
At least this is the expectation of Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry.
During the course of this week, Henry visited five schools within Regions Five and Six where she commissioned the laboratory facilities over a two-day period.
On Thursday, the Education Minister visited the Woodley Park Secondary School in Region Five to have their science laboratory commissioned. That facility was constructed at a cost of $14M and it is the first for the school.
Minister Henry told the students that she expects to see improved performance in the science subjects taught at the institution. Further, she encouraged the teachers to ensure that the new science laboratory, delivers content that will see improvement among the school population. The Education Minister also commissioned a new set of steel pans at the Belladrum Secondary School on Thursday.
During her visit to Berbice too, the Minister presented 12 desktop computers and accompanying accessories to the New Amsterdam Primary School, compliments of her Ministry, to aid the school’s delivery of Information Technology [IT] programme.
During her brief remarks, the Education Minister told the children that in the 21st Century, it is important that they are computer literate and that the school’s IT programme is the first step towards realising that.
Additionally, Minister Henry said that she is looking forward to academic improvements from the school, and is optimistic that the computers will be adequately utilised. The donated IT equipment is valued at over $1.6M.
A pupil student of the New Amsterdam Primary School being assisted by Minister Nicolette Henry to cut the ceremonial ribbon to commission her school’s new IT Laboratory.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Minister commissioned an Integrated Science Laboratory at the Canje Secondary School, Region Six. According to students there, the laboratory will greatly benefit them, particularly those who are preparing to write the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate [CSEC] examinations this year.
While at Canje Secondary, Minister Henry also handed-over sports items and home economics utensils to the students. On a previous visit to that school, the Education Minister had engaged the students, during which they highlighted the need for the items. Minister Henry had then made a commitment to deliver the items.
The Education Minister on Wednesday too, commissioned a new science laboratory at the Vryman’s Erven Secondary School. Teachers and students of the school expressed their gratitude and happiness for the new facility, and were urged to use it responsibly. In addition to commissioning the lab there, the Education Minister was engaged in a tree-planting exercise.
After the Vryman’s Erven Commissioning, the Education Minister visited the Berbice Educational Institute where she officially commissioned yet another science laboratory there.
According to Minister Henry, the commissioning of the three laboratories is aligned with the Ministry’s STEAMS [Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Spirituality] drive. She said that in order to execute the Science aspect of STEAMS, schools must be equipped with science laboratories that meet the required standard.
Further Minister Henry noted that it is important that the laboratories are managed in a way that is in keeping with best practices, so that students can be in an environment that is conducive for learning.
Minister Henry, during the Berbice also paid a visit to the Gibraltar-Courtland Primary School where she distributed items including books and other educational items to Grade Six pupils.
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