Education Consultant to the Ministry of Education, Ed Caesar, yesterday lauded the students of Berbice High School who were the first to officially complete a practical baseball examination as part of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Physical Education (PE) syllabus.
Caesar, a former Chief Education Officer, along with President of the Guyana Baseball League (GBL) Robin Sigh and Head of the Physical Education Allied Arts Department within the Ministry of Education Nicholas Fraser, were present as the students broke new ground with this examination.
“Baseball has been and is the newest of the disciplines of the CXC area and this school, Berbice High School, is the first to offer students baseball. Our teacher here and a few others from several other schools have been engaging in a course where they now know the rules of baseball,” said Ceasar.
“This is the first time that baseball will be an examination subject at the level of CXC, so we are asking functionaries from other associations for help and we are going to have Education Officer for Physical Education, Mr. Fraser, who will assist me in relation to the examination,” Caesar added.
Speaking on how students will be assessed in the exam, Caesar explained that the students would have been taught and, as a result, will have to study and eventually write the examination with the knowledge of the rules of the game, adding that the practical, which was conducted yesterday, will be followed by the theoretical aspect of the exam set for April 29.
In closing Caesar said that having youths from the respective schools being taught about discipline and other areas of learning will aid in a rapid growth of understanding about baseball in a holistic view for all Guyanese who see it fit to undertake the sport.
Head of the Physical Department of the Berbice High School, Zaheer Moakhan, lauded his students for the monumental strides made, citing the event as one of great magnitude and hallmark for the school, students, teachers and the GBL.
“I would have never taught that baseball would have been played in Guyana. The moment it became a part of the syllabus we jumped on it because everyone looks at television seeing the sport being played and with the support from the GBL who have given us all of our gear to make this a success, in 24 years as a teacher, I would say we need to tap into the schools, especially in the primary schools.”
Moakhan pointed out that numerous students from various levels have signaled interest in playing baseball and stated that he plans on working closely with the students to ensure they are better prepared for the theoretical aspect of the examination.
The veteran teacher also stated that he believes that tapping into cricketers is a good way to help boost the sport. This idea was reinforced when Guyana and West Indies U19 opener Shimron Hetmyer was present at the exam and seemed excited to try his hand at the sport.
The practical examination, which was conducted on the school’s ground, is part of the Caribbean Examination Council’s (CXC) Physical Education curriculum and was sat by students who were assessed on their understanding of the game by Fraser and company.
Singh was praised for the support he has thrown behind the county of Berbice, saying that the move was on the educational agenda since 2005 and he is happy that it has finally come to pass.
The 35 students were divided into three teams and played three games with two innings a side and their individual marks were recorded and assessed by the ministry’s officials. Fraser, after the practical was conducted, told this newspaper that the ministry was very excited about the ground breaking step made by the students and the GBL.
Meanwhile, Singh said: “The first step took some courage after all it is a part of CXC curriculum and it could not have been possible without support and faith which was given to the GBL by the students and teachers.
“We see this as vote of confidence in baseball and our responsibility is to now afford these young pioneers with opportunities to further develop themselves in baseball with careers, scholarships and a facility to house their long term endeavors.”
