Schools Welfare Officers in Region Three have launched ‘Operation Care’ to address truancy and other issues as part of its programme in observance of Education Month.
According to a press release, Regional Education Officer Marlyn Jones-O’Donoghue said the campaign has been a weekly activity undertaken by the officers to curb instances of truancy. She said a number of parents had been put before the courts and this has netted some improvements.
Jones-O’Donoghue said with the launch of Education Month at the West Demerara Secondary School several activities have been planned. The roster includes a poetry writing and spelling ‘B’ competition, an impromptu speech contest, children’s poster contest, children’s road march/rally, a literacy and book exhibition and fair, a dialogue competition, a table-setting contest. She said, too, partnerships with other stakeholders are critical components for a successful education system. In the light of this a parenting seminar and community meetings had been added to the list of activities for the year.
Resource personnel for these activities will come from the health sector and the regional administration. Plans are also in train to discuss two new initiatives the ministry is considering: the six-year programme for secondary schools and the secondary competency programme.
Meanwhile, District Education Officer – Secondary Annesta Douglas supports the dialogue competition as an avenue to create awareness about social issues such as HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, child abuse and substance abuse. Douglas said 15 secondary schools in the region are expected to participate. According to the release the programme will culminate with the Annual Regional Awards ceremony on October 2.
