Latest update April 1st, 2025 5:37 PM
Govt. reaches out to Ituni residents -as it moves ahead with schools’ curriculum reform
Guyana is likely to soon be named the only territory within the Caribbean Community to introduce robotics to all its primary level schools. At least this was the recent disclosure of Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry as she engaged residents of Ituni, Region Ten recently.
The Minister enquired about the support the community needs in order to improve the delivery of education.
An official from the community library accepting some books from Minister Henry.
The visit to the Region Ten locale comes even as the Ministry seeks to reform the school curriculum, an undertaking that has not been undertaken for more than three decades.
But according to the Minister such an undertaking is necessary since the nation’s children cannot be taught from an outdated curriculum in this modern age.
During the meeting with residents, the Minister heard that trained teachers are needed in Ituni even as she sought to gain a better understanding of what are some of the issues affecting them and enquired of how government can help to alleviate these.
Resident Curth Murphy brought to the attention of the Education Minister the need for the establishment of a secondary top at the Primary School.
Murphy said that he believes this will assist the community, tangibly, with a view to addressing the dropout rate in the community.
The head teacher of the Primary School, Ms. Yvonne Nazier, made representation for a school bus for the community. Nazier explained that upon completion of their primary education some children because of the distance they have to travel to get to school would normally stay with relatives or friends in the area closest to their schools.
The Head Teacher posited that this takes away from the bonding between the parents and the child and reduces monitoring of teenagers at an age where parental supervision is integral. Another matter that the residents highlighted to the Education Minister is for the acquisition of additional trained teachers for the schools in the community.
On the issue of trained teachers, the Minister told the gathering that this process takes time and that persons should be identified and be provided with the opportunity to benefit from this. Some residents went on to raise concerns relating to logging in the community since this is their main source of income. There was also a request for Information Communication Technology [ICT] training for community members.
Minister Henry handing over a computer to the HM of Ituni Nursery.
Minister Henry amplified the importance of ICT in the delivery of education. She said that as a nation Guyana can no longer embrace the talk and chalk method only. It must be cognizant of modern methodology and thinking with regards to teaching in the 21st century.
She is convinced that the education system should cater to this need.
Additionally, Minister Henry informed the residents that her Ministry is currently in the process of reforming the school curriculum, something that was not done for more than three decades. Notwithstanding the cost for such an undertaking, Henry believes that this is necessary since the nation’s children cannot be taught from an outdated curriculum in this modern age.
During the visit, the Education Minister also handed over a computer, each with the accompanying accessories, to the Ituni Nursery School and the Howell Wilson Primary School. She also donated a supply of books to the Community Library.
The meeting was held at the Howell Wilson Primary School and was attended by teachers, students, parents and residents of the community.
Minister Henry assured them that she will undertake to address the issues mentioned in an expeditious manner.
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