Students from St Ignatius Secondary, Annai Secondary and the Bina Hill Institute were given the opportunity to suggest their needs with regard to youth empowerment and sports development when a team of Ministry of Education officials visited Region 9 last week.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Education, the team included the Permanent Secretary, Melissa Tucker; Director of Sport, Christopher Jones; Director of Youth, Melissa Carmichael; Assistant Director of Youth, Leslyn Boyce; Project Officer, Germaine Watson and ADOS, Brian Smith.
The release stated that the need was raised for technical support in volleyball and cricket at the Bina Hill Institute. According to the release, the Director of Sport committed to sending a coach from the NSC to give the assistance required. He also highlighted that the NSC had advertised a vacancy for coaches and Sports organisers for all the regions. He explained that the applications for the Region 9 applicants were sent to Public Service Commission.
Jones highlighted, at all the locations, according to the release, that the existence of sports organisers and coaches in the region will see the development of many other sports disciplines aside from football.
According to the release, among the concerns raised by the students and residents was the need for musical instruments, dance instruction, and a technical institute in Region 9. The latter was in relation to a need for the young men to be gainfully occupied while at the same time learn a trade that will help them to receive employment.
In response to that need, Boyce highlighted the training opportunities of the Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training (YEST) programme, the release stated. The youths were encouraged to apply to attend the Kuru Kuru Training Centre (KKTC) which has been accommodating students from all the hinterland regions. The entrance test will be on July 24 to 27 in Region 9.
Boyce emphasized that first preference is given to youths from the hinterland regions.
With regard to the other youth related programmes, according to the release, Carmichael informed the students about the National Youth Policy and the soon to be launched Youth Innovation Project of Guyana. The Director also informed the young people about the plans to observe National Youth Week under the theme “Inspiring our youth, celebrating their achievement.”
Turning to youth development, the release stated, the Director of Youth, along with the Assistant Director of Youth and the Project Officer were able to establish school clubs at the Annai and St. Ignatius Secondary Schools. The club leaders were given the necessary resources to start the groups. They were also given sports gears for cricket, football, volleyball, chess, badminton, tennis and board games.
Meanwhile, according to the release, the Sports Director informed the students that the National Sports Commission has set aside funding for female teams as a way of encouraging female participation in sports. In this regard, he urged that female football teams be established.
The interactions with the youths in Region 9 will be followed by similar activities in other regions. The aim is to ensure youth involvement in the decision making process.
