In observance of the theme for this year’s Education Month, “Education of the child: a parent and teacher obligation”, the Ministry of Education in collaboration with Guyanese Assisting in Development (GUYAID) presented prizes yesterday to the students who won the essay competition.
The competition, now in its 15th year, was initiated by GUYAID in 1993 to complement their efforts to enhance and sustain the literacy drive and encourage students from all the regions in Guyana, in both primary and secondary schools, to conduct relevant research in order to create expressive and unique essays about pertinent and current topics.
The competition was categorized into three groups, namely the under 12 with their topic “If you had a chance to be someone famous, who would it be and why”; the over-12, with their topic “The use of the internet can replace books in the 21st century” and the Over-14’s topic “Pursuing alternative sources of energy will impact positively on the development of Guyana”.
The first place winners respectively of these three categories were Kerryann King of Alness Primary School from Region Six, Tamasha Maraj from Bishops’ High and Krysta Newton also from Bishops’ High.
The teachers representing these schools were also presented with plaques as a sign of appreciation for their valiant efforts in contributing to their students’ literary development.
Many other participants were also presented with prizes.
Senior Education Officer Bonita Hunter emphasized that “a child that can read, can learn” and urged all parents and teachers to become involved in their children’s educational development.
Also in attendance was representative of GUYAID, Deborah Blackman whose focus was primarily on the quality of essays submitted for the competition.
Blackman went on to say that “with constant practice and guidance” the literary skills of Guyanese can be improved. She also urged the students from Region Eight to take part in the competition since they are also part of the educational system.
And Chief Education Officer Genevieve Whyte-Nedd stated that GUYAID has lived up to its social responsibility of giving back to Guyanese through these competitions and other activities.
She noted too that the focus is not just about the competition but developing positive life skills for bigger and better endeavours.
“We can’t wait until Grade Six assessment to get busy, a child’s foundation years are important,” Whyte-Nedd said.
She also encouraged all Guyanese to use standard English and parents whose homes are without dictionaries to purchase one if they are looking for a gift for their children since “educational development is everybody’s business and we have the responsibility to add to its maturity.”