Minister of Education Shaik Baksh is calling on parents, teachers and other stakeholders to support the ministry’s efforts towards achieving national literacy.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Baksh issued the call at a rally the ministry held at Queen’s College on Wednesday to observe International Literacy Day 2010. Primary and secondary students attended the function which was held under the theme ‘The Power of Women’s Literacy’.
Baksh said the ministry has embarked on a literacy campaign aimed at ensuring that every child in the school system is literate to “an acceptable standard” while in pursuit of lifelong learning. He also told the assembly that both students and teachers needed to commit to attending school regularly in order to improve performance levels.
Additionally, from this new school year the ministry has facilitated a remediation programme that requires teachers to remain after school, for an hour, to give special attention to low achievers. The minister commended the teachers for their efforts and urged the students to inculcate the habit of reading. He also said parents need to monitor the number of hours their children spend watching television and to become active participants in their children’s education. As regards this year’s Literacy Day theme the minister said more females than males are pursuing education and they are higher performers.
Meanwhile, Principal Education Officer Marcel Hutson told the gathering that being literate does not only refer to being able to read and write but also the ability to use skills, knowledge and abilities.
Additionally, Director of Marketing and Sales, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) Wystan Robertson said the company has been making significant contributions to the education system. It has been sponsoring activities, scholarships and adopting schools. He also noted that digital literacy is important and as such GT&T has embarked on “bringing Guyana up to standard technologically.”
