The Ministry of Education is implementing the Inquiry Based Science Education programme, aimed at fostering an interest in science among fifth and sixth grade primary school students, in four more schools, with support from Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG) and ExxonMobil.
This was announced last Saturday by the Government Information Agency (GINA).
In March, the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) launched the programme, with funding from the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), GINA reported. It was initiated in the Arapaima Primary in Region Nine, CV Nunes Primary, Winfer Gardens, St. Margaret’s, Leonora Primary and Cornelia Ida Primary making Guyana the second country after Chile to introduce this form of learning in the classroom.
The programme has now expanded to include the All Saints, BV Quamina, Skeldon and Peter’s Hall primary schools. Each school is being provided with science kits containing items that can facilitate experiments and other scientific tests, thereby providing a practical experience of science for the fifth and sixth graders.
Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary) Marcel Hutson was quoted as saying that the decision was taken to include four new schools in the pilot, based on the success among the first group.
According to GINA, the Inquiry Based Science Education aims to stimulate curiosity, encourage critical and creative thinking and create the foundation for scientific study at the secondary level.
Head of NCERD, Roopnaraine Tiwari noted that this approach provides students with opportunities to learn by manipulating, investigating and using their analytical skills, instead of the usual chalk and talk.
He noted that this approach to learning will compel teachers in the pilot schools to provide environments where students can learn meaningfully. He added that while the pilot phase accommodates a small number of schools, it is hoped that as more schools are included, more success is gained.
YCG Executive Director Dimitri Nicholson said that this is an era of science and as a result the project seeks to ensure that children aspire to become leaders in the science field. He noted that the kits will give students and teachers the opportunity to dismantle and create things and augment the standard teaching method. Teachers will also be able to share their experiences and conduct peer reviews.
