Latest update August 27th, 2026 10:20 AM
Latest News
- GGMC puts out ad begging for donations of used clothes, shoes for residents in gold rich communities
- Food prices fuel Guyana’s inflation
- Mohamed released on $100K bail after river standoff with joint services
- Iran, Oman still working on Strait of Hormuz accord – senior Iranian source
- U.S-based pandit accused of using ‘spiritual ritual’ in new sexual assault case
In agreement with Hammie on History
Dear Editor,
I am in agreement with Mr. Hamilton Green that we should have an intimate knowledge of our history (KN Sept 18). Unfortunately, very little of Guyanese history is taught in our schools. Local history and our political system are not priorities in our school or university curriculum.
History is a mandatory subject in high school; it is mandatory in all countries at all grade levels. Every country teaches its own history and civilization in addition to that of other countries or civilizations. But in Guyana, Guyanese history and the civilizations of its varied people, at least six groups, are hardly taught and worse marginalized in school. And our history and civilization of the different ethnic groups are hardly featured in regional exams (CXC, CAPE) in history. The same is observed in teaching literature in high school.
In contrast with Guyana, in USA where a million with Guyanese ancestry live, American history is dominant at every grade level or every form in high school. At every class level from kindergarten to high school, history is mandatory for a daily period in which American history, in addition to global history or events, is taught. Before graduating from high school, students must pass the state exam in American history.
In high school, a state exam in global history is also required. In high school, during the four years, before a student graduates, he must take two semesters of American history in addition to four semesters of global history plus one semester of economics and one semester of the workings of the American government; history of economics and government is also taught in the latter two subjects. When a student finishes high school, there is a solid foundation of knowing the country’s history as well as the history of one’s own ethnic historical background or civilization. Even in college in USA, history courses are mandatory regardless of one’s major (Chemistry, Biology, political science, etc.). Other countries, like India, China, Japan, UK, Germany, Israel, Morocco, Brazil, Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa, etc., all of which I visited and examined their basic school curriculum, teach their own history in addition to others. In contrast, Guyana and the Caribbean region do not place much emphasis on students meeting a minimum level of knowledge about their own country’s history and knowing the history of their own civilization.
The new Minister of Education and the Ministry should re-examine the history taught in school and questions in regional exams and pursue amendments.
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram
Share this:
Discover more from Kaieteur News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Similar Articles
hits
Blunt of the day
Sports
Features/Columnists
Sir. Ronald Sanders
The GHK Lall Column
Weekend Cartoon
