Education Minister Shaik Baksh has disclosed that the ministry plans to examine parents’ role in their children’s education.
He was speaking at a recent inspection visit to the Lusignan-Good Hope Learning Centre.
According to a press release Baksh told the audience which included parents, teachers and children that the role of a parent “cannot be over-emphasised” in helping children to succeed. He said this issue will be discussed further next month, when the nation observes Education Month. This year’s theme is ‘Child-Friendly Homes: Child-Friendly Classrooms – Quality Education.’
Baksh said his ministry remains committed to ensuring that every child including slow learners, leaves school with a sound education and with the mindset to boost his/her life, community and country. He also said the ministry cannot achieve this task on its own and appealed to stakeholders to shoulder their responsibilities in this regard.
On this note, the minister lauded Restoring Hope International Inc, a US-based NGO which founded the Lusignan centre. The centre has been in operation since last year. “The centre plays an important role in supporting the national drive to eliminate illiteracy and provides a vital service to the Lusignan/Good Hope communities,” he said. The centre is equipped with a library and a computer room and it offers programmes in literacy, art and craft and after school lessons for academically weak students, remedial classes, adult education classes and counselling services.
The centre is headed by overseas-based Guyanese Sandra Shivdat who is supported by Mohamed Ally, a board member. The centre’s goal is to “break the cycle of despair and bring hope and optimism to impoverished families in the poor areas of Guyana.” Its mission is to promote literacy, emphasise the value of education to children and parents in vulnerable communities and to equip them with the necessary skills and values to be independent thinkers with creative minds and to foster self-respect and respect for others.
Baksh said these objectives fit into the ministry’s vision and he commended the work the centre has done. He also called on other members of the Guyanese Diaspora to emulate the strides being made by the NGO; noting that there is need for more learning resource facilities on the coastland.
According to the release the centre’s management had hosted a luncheon for the children in honour of the minister’s visit.
