Latest update March 22nd, 2025 6:44 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

The textbook embarrassment raises some interesting questions

Mar 22, 2025 Letters

Dear Editor,

The embarrassing scenario outline in the textbook around the school-feeding programme raises some very interesting questions about the school-feeding programme as a whole. The scenario is indicative of a quality control and textbook review process that needs improvement, and the current problem encountered should result in all of the textbooks being reviewed by a panel of educators to ensure that there is no bias nor a hidden agenda present in the material provided to our schoolchildren. After all, their minds are still being molded and we must allow parents the opportunity to play a key role in the process. As for the school-feeding programme, the scenario indirectly leads to the asking of a very fundamental question, “Should the school-feeding programme be optional?”

Given that it is an added benefit for those attending school, the feeding programme must be designed with the health and the multicultural considerations of our diverse community. Specifically, halal options, vegetarian options, vegan options, Rastafarian options, ethnic options (Indian dishes, African dishes, Amerindian dishes, Portuguese dishes), etc. and overall calorie intake management are all factors that must be a part of the menu design.

The participation of the catering companies that have met strict health guidelines and that are certified and continually inspected are all aspects of creating a healthy school-feeding programme. If the poor review of textbooks is an example of the lack of quality control, then there are most likely improvement opportunities also in the school-feeding programme’s management and quality control system. Unfortunately, a similar slip up could have serious health consequences. Thus, making it necessary for the Ministry with oversight responsibility of food establishments to ensure the healthy preparation, delivery and storage of food for the school-feeding programme. The use of temperature-controlled delivery vehicles and temperature-controlled storage of food at the schools between serving times are also essential in preventing bacteria buildup and the occurrence of food-borne illnesses. These aspects of the programme may be missing at this time and do open up the government to additional scrutiny and liability if there was ever an unfortunate occurrence of an illness caused by the feeding programme.

As for the question as to whether the programme should be optional? It may be better for this to be allowed. Some parents would prefer to manage their child’s health themselves and provide them with loving reminders that their parents care for them and have prepared their school meals with love. On the other hand, other parents may need the time in their busy schedules and would welcome such an option due to convenience. A reminder to their children that they are working hard to take care of them. Those parents who cannot afford to provide meals would also welcome the benefit provided by the programme, which allows them to spend the saved funds on other needed items for their children. Another sign of a loving parent. Given the multiple ways in which parents express their love for their children and the unique relationship between a parent and their child, having the programme be optional and reflecting the diversity of our culture is probably a good idea. At no time should someone be deliberately or inadvertently scrutinized for their views as it relates to how they choose to take good care of their child.

It is good to see that the Ministry of Education was able to recognise their mistake and it is CRG’s hope that they will consider and act upon the recommendations provided.

 

Best regards,

Mr. Jamil Changlee

Chairman

The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

Similar Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

St. Lucia’s Elite Blazers takes aim at FIBA 3×3 World Tour in Edmonton

St. Lucia’s Elite Blazers takes aim at FIBA 3×3 World Tour in...

Mar 22, 2025

…but must first conquer the One Guyana 3×3 Quest Kaieteur Sports-  For Caribbean teams, qualifying for the FIBA 3×3 World Tour is a dream come true. However, the opportunity to...
Read More
Petra/Milo U18 Football kicks off Round II action today

Petra/Milo U18 Football kicks off Round II action...

Mar 22, 2025

Track and Field clubs demand nullification of AAG elections

Track and Field clubs demand nullification of AAG...

Mar 22, 2025

Joint Statement from WIPA and CWI on Athlete Safeguarding

Joint Statement from WIPA and CWI on Athlete...

Mar 22, 2025

RCNA launches Childhood Obesity Prevention Inter-School Tapeball Competition

RCNA launches Childhood Obesity Prevention...

Mar 22, 2025

FL Sport donates stumps to Meten-Meer-Zorg Cricket Club

FL Sport donates stumps to Meten-Meer-Zorg...

Mar 22, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]