Twenty-six youths graduated on Wednesday from an Information Technology (IT) programme hosted at the Port Mourant Community Centre under the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) initiative.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the programme is funded by the Guyana and Canadian governments and the Caribbean Development Bank. In his feature address, Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh told the graduates that the ceremony should not be seen as a “stand-alone” event involving 26 persons, but rather in the context of a series of policy initiatives that the government has and continues to implement, in its efforts modernise the country.
Similar training programmes have already been implemented in other areas countrywide including at Hururu, Region 10 where 30 youths were recently trained, at Herstelling where 90 were trained; at East Ruimveldt where 81 persons were trained; at Enmore, 30 and at Goed Fortuin 30 were trained. Additionally, training will be extended to Bath Settlement, Region Five, Cotton Field, Region Two, Watooka, Region 10, Mabaruma, Region One, and Lethem, Region Nine before year end.
Singh said government believes that equipping youth with appropriate skills is critical to the future of Guyana. He added that training in this particular field is critical, due to the role of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in transforming the world. Singh explained too that the One Laptop Per Family programme is another visionary initiative that was developed in recognition of the fact that ICT is vital in the nation’s development. “We don’t believe that ICT is a luxury, we believe that the industries of tomorrow will use ICT in every aspect of their operations,” the minister said.
According to GINA, as a result of government’s investment in education (both within and without the formal school system), over 3000 Guyanese are today employed in ICT sector. Singh said that based on an assessment of the opportunities that ICT presents, it was ascertained that the number of persons working in ICT driven organisations can be multiplied several times over. He also noted that Guyana is more competitive than many other countries that provide ICT services through call centres.
“Training programmes such as this, is not only about an individual, it is also about thousands of people being able now to enter the world of work as it relates to modern technology,” the minister said. He said too equality of opportunity is central to the philosophy of the PPP/C administration and it does not support the view that access of IT environments should be confined to persons who live in certain areas, or who can afford it, but rather, exposure to ICT must be available to all Guyanese.
Regional Chairman Zulfikar Mustapha noted that education and in particular, information technology is necessary for any country to rise above poverty. He noted too, that as more and more investments are coming on stream in Region Six, the need for an educated population has intensified.
The programme, which was offered to students free of cost, entailed training in office ethics, basic computer skills as well as training in computer maintenance and repairs.
A computer centre that was refurbished under the initiative was also handed over to the Regional Democratic Council. The centre boasts 15 computers and a printer. The regional administration will now be tasked with ensuring the sustainability of the programme and Mustapha gave assurances that under the RDC’s management, the programme will continue to impact lives.